Fire in the north region is caused by drought - Kedah Fire and Rescue dept

The current drought hitting the north region is causing fires in several open areas such as dry grass, bushes and garbage disposal areas.

Reports of the increase in fire are caused by the uncertain change in climate and drought.

Assistant Director of the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department, Nazri Zakaria said, the department received between 40 to 60 calls daily in regards to open burning and the burning of garbage around Alor Setar.

Other districts in Kedah also received the same number of calls.

Nazri said, among the cause is the lack of responsibility by many people who intentionally burn garbage and leave the fire burning which in turn causes it to spread.

Apart from that,cigarette butts which are carelessly disposed can also cause fire when it hits dry grass and other flammable items.

To date, the Kedah fire department has received many calls coming from Sungai Petani, Kulim and Alor Setar.

As many as 380 cases involve dry grass and bushes while 17 cases are caused by the burning of garbage.

Among the areas affected is along the North-South Highway near Pendang where smoke from fires threaten the safety of roadusers.

Nazri however stressed that straws can be burnt around the area as long as it does not affect the road users as this could cause accidents to take place.

“I always advise the public especially the residents here to be careful in handling these fires as it is dangerous and we use fire to live...we can’t live without fire but if it is misused, then it could affect us especially during this dry season,” said Nazri to reporters on Saturday.

In 2013, the Kedah fire department received 806 cases which involved the burning of bushes and dry grass, 20 cases involving jungle burning, 24 garbage burning and 22 garden burning.