Kota bharu: A total of 1,949 open burning cases were recorded in Kelantan involving farms, forests, secondary forests, and waste areas from last year to April this year, with secondary forest and waste fires accounting for the highest number, according to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan JBPM director Farhan Sufyan Borhan reported that Kota Bharu recorded the highest number of waste fire cases at 463, followed by Bachok with 267 cases and Tumpat with 214 cases. For secondary forest fires, Bachok recorded the highest number at 79 cases, followed by Pasir Mas with 43 and Pasir Puteh with 29.

Statistics also showed that fires in farms and forest areas occurred in almost all districts, including Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai, Machang, and Gua Musang, although the numbers were lower than those for secondary forest and waste fires. Monthly data for last year indicated a marked increase in open burning cases from March to April, particularly involving secondary forest and waste fires.

Farhan Sufyan stated that for secondary forest fires, a total of 580 cases were recorded in April last year, compared with 245 in March and 80 in February. For waste fires, the number rose to 52 cases in April last year, compared with 35 in March and 27 in February. For this year up to April, secondary forest fires recorded 57 cases in March before falling to 24 cases in April, while waste fires stood at 17 cases in March and 13 cases in April.

He advised the public against carrying out open burning, especially during hot and dry weather, to prevent fires from spreading and affecting air quality.