About 200 hectares of forest in Terengganu destroyed by fire

Around 200 hectares of forest and bush areas of this country were destroyed by fire within the first four months of the this year due to the El Nino phenomenon.

State Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer, Rozizah Abni Hajar said until Tuesday, a total of four areas totalling 92 hectares were still on fire.

He said firefighting operations were still being carried out in Kampung Chabang (Kemaman), Kampung Batu 7, Felda Rotan (Dungun) and Kampung Durian Guling (Marang).

"Kampung Batu 7 involves the most extensive fire with five hectares still burning," he told Bernama here, yesterday.

Rozizah said due to the hot and dry weather, it will cause areas like plantations, bushes and forests to be susceptible to the risk of fires, even after being put out as the fire could recur.

He said they expected the fire to be fully extinguished by this week.

He said, over the last four months more than 900 emergency calls involving forest and bush fires were recorded.

Meanwhile, throughout April until yesterday, a total of 500 calls were received, as compared to March where only 356 cases were reported, he said.

He said throughout April until now a total of 500 calls regarding forest and bush fires had been received compared to March with only 356 cases, he added.