The Fire and Rescue Department of Kelantan, Malaysia, has recorded 1,089 cases of open burning since the start of the year, part of a total of 1,418 emergency calls related to fires. The department's director, Farhan Sofyan Burhan, stated that these cases include forest fires, grass fires, and waste burning, raising significant concerns about environmental and health impacts in the region.
The open burning cases are categorized into several types, with 880 grass fire incidents, 114 forest fires, 70 waste burning cases, and 25 farm fires, resulting in the burning of 1,618 hectares of land in the state. The city of Kota Bharu is the most affected, with 400 cases reported, followed by Pasir Puteh with 278 cases and Pasir Mas with 173 cases.
Details of the Incident
In efforts to combat this phenomenon, 28 fire trucks and seven water tankers with capacities of 10,000 and 20,000 liters, in addition to a hydro-sab vehicle, have been deployed across 22 fire stations in the state. Burhan confirmed that monitoring has been intensified, particularly in areas with clay soil covering 7,689 hectares in Pasir Puteh, Tumpat, Pasir Puteh, and Pasir Mas.
Calls related to open burning cases saw a surprising increase of up to 64% during March, aligning with the Meteorological Department's forecasts of dry weather expected to continue until mid-April or June.
Background & Context
Open burning is considered one of the serious environmental issues facing many countries, including Malaysia. This phenomenon has a long history, as burning is used as a method to clear land for agriculture or to dispose of waste. However, these practices lead to deteriorating air quality and contribute to climate change.
Local communities are significantly affected by this phenomenon, with increased cases of respiratory and skin diseases resulting from inhaling smoke from the fires. Additionally, open burning threatens biodiversity and leads to the loss of agricultural land.
Impact & Consequences
Reports indicate that the increase in open burning cases may worsen environmental and health conditions in Kelantan. With the continuation of dry weather, these cases are expected to rise, necessitating urgent action from local authorities.
This phenomenon also poses a significant challenge for the Malaysian government, which must find effective solutions to reduce these practices. Such solutions could include raising public awareness about the health and environmental risks of open burning, as well as enforcing strict laws to prevent these practices.
Regional Significance
Although this issue pertains to Malaysia, its impact extends to Arab countries, where many nations face similar problems related to open burning and environmental degradation. With increasing climate changes, Arab countries may also encounter similar challenges regarding air quality and citizen health.
Therefore, exchanging experiences and cooperation among countries in combating open burning may be essential for effectively addressing this phenomenon.