SHAH ALAM, Sept 15 — Forest, bush, and scrub fires nationwide have surged this year, with 20,927 cases recorded as of August, said Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad.
He added that the figure for this year’s cases alone could match the total number of incidents reported in 2024 and 2025.
He said the sharp hike was influenced by prolonged dry spells and open burning, including at landfills and in scrubland.
“We recorded 8,147 cases in 2025, compared with 14,821 cases in 2024. Currently, there is an average of 87 such fire cases daily.
“The number of incidents this year remains at very high,” he said, as reported by The Star today.
Nor Hisham added that JBPM has identified 183 open burning hotspots, with 63 of them at risk of becoming large-scale fires covering areas exceeding 25ha.
While acknowledging that cloud seeding could assist firefighting efforts, Nor Hisham however said the method doesn’t guarantee direct rainfall over affected areas and is less effective against peatland blazes.
“Cloud seeding is not a substitute for ground operations, even though positive results were recorded in Bakun and Murum, Sarawak,” he said.
He also said forest, bush, and peatland fires require different approaches, involving longer operational periods and the need to monitor personnel health throughout.
Citing a recent forest fire in Pengerang, Johor, he said firefighters were challenged by hot weather, strong winds, soft ground, narrow access routes, and limited water supply.
“Firefighter teams worked tirelessly for over a week to extinguish the blaze, which covered an area of 11ha, before it was put out at 7.40am yesterday.
“Extinguishing peat fires demands physical stamina and can expose personnel to prolonged heat, dense smoke, and fine particulates,” Nor Hisham said.
