SHAH ALAM, Oct 22 — The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has prepared its personnel and operational assets to address open burning risks during the El Niño phenomenon.
Its director Dato’ Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail said scrubland, forests, plantations, and peatland are expected to be more affected by fires due to hot, dry spells.
“As vegetation becomes increasingly dry, fires spread more easily. In peatland, fires are harder to control because they can spread underground, requiring more time to extinguish.
“The risk is exacerbated by uncontrolled open burning or the presence of ignition sources, such as discarded cigarette butts, the burning of agricultural waste, or the burning of trash,” he told Media Selangor.
Wan Razali said the Selangor JBPM Operations Control Centre will ensure personnel and operational assets remain at optimal readiness, especially in high-risk areas, adding that the department has identified strategic water sources to ensure smooth firefighting operations.
“We have taken the initiative to identify alternative water sources near high-risk areas and are coordinating with agencies concerned in the event of a water shortage,” he said.
Previously, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist until June next year, with the potential to reach “super” status between this month and January.
Arthur said Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) analysis indicates the concurrent occurrence of the Southwest Monsoon and El Niño could lead to lower rainfall, as well as hotter and drier weather.
