PORT DICKSON: The public should avoid open burning, especially during the current hot and dry spell.
Port Dickson Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Kamal Mohd Timar said it took them almost six hours to control a forest fire covering an area of around 10 acres in the forest near Taman Vista Jaya, here today.
"The fire team received an emergency call at 11.58am this afternoon regarding a forest fire near Taman Vista Jaya.
"Due to the fire consuming around 10 acres of forest area next to the residential area here, two fire teams also helped comprising Teluk Kemang fire department and volunteer firefighters from Mambau," he said when met here earlier.
He said the fire department advises the public to be careful and not to do open burning, especially with the current hot weather.
"We are unsure of the cause of the fire but in the uncertain weather conditions at the moment, especially the hot weather, people are advised not to do any open burning activities for fear that the fire will spread more easily.
"The fire was brought under control in less than three hours, but the team had to control a large area, causing it to take a lot of time to ensure that the forest fire was completely extinguished," he said.
Mohd Kamal said that the fire was brought under control and the task was completed at around 6pm.
"Alhamdulilah all the 25 members including the officers were able to carry out their duties without any unwanted incident and the large area was saved.
"People are asked to be more careful if they do open burning and immediately contact the fire department as soon as possible if there is a fire like this because it is very dangerous," he said.