KOTA KINABALU: The ban on open burning in Sabah is still effective despite the arrival of the monsoon transition season that has brought rain to some areas late last month.
State Environment Department (DoE) director Tunku Khalkausar Tunku Fathahi, said despite the rain, not many locations received significant amount of rainfall, particularly forested areas which are prone to fire.
"Warnings on open burning are still being issued, so as not to affect the air quality. Compounds will be issued immediately, and all appeals will not be entertained," she said when contacted today.
Tunku Khalkausar said 64 written warnings, three notice commands, and 20 compounds had been issued thus far, and four investigation papers opened.
She said most of the open burning offences took place around Papar, Putatan, Kota Kinabalu, Sipitang, Tenom, Sandakan and Tawau districts.
The hot and dry season began in January due to the absence of rain in all parts of the state.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department reported that 1,706 open fire cases were recorded in the state during the first three months of the year.
Tuaran recorded the highest number of fire with 259 cases, followed by Kota Kinabalu (169 cases), Keningau (156), Kota Belud (139 cases), Penampang (129 cases) and Papar (129 cases).
From January to March, a total 954 cases of bush fires were recorded, followed by forest fires (528).
According to the Meteorological Department, there will be more frequent rainfalls in all parts of the state during the monsoon transition season from now until early May.