KUCHING: Malaysia is seeing a renewed rise in fire incidents in 2026, driven largely by prolonged hot and dry weather conditions, with bush fires remaining the dominant contributor nationwide.
Deputy Director-General (Operations), Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman, said a total of 12,938 fire cases were recorded as of March this year, marking an increase compared to 9,941 cases in 2025, though still lower than 16,294 cases in 2024.
He said bush or vegetation fires continued to account for the majority of incidents, with 11,147 cases recorded in 2026, making up more than 80 per cent of total fires.
“Based on current trends, hot and dry weather remains the main contributing factor, and if conditions persist, including the El Nino phenomenon, the number of cases is expected to increase further,” he said during a press conference after the Excellence Service Award Ceremony 2026 for JBPM Sarawak at Dewan Majma Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah here today.
Ahmad Izram said forest fires showed a declining trend, dropping from 2,164 cases in 2024 to 1,047 cases in 2026, while plantation and agricultural fires also recorded a decrease from 948 cases to 744 cases over the same period.
He noted that several states in Peninsular Malaysia continued to record the highest number of bush fire cases, including Kedah, Johor, Melaka, Kelantan and Perak.
“Temperatures in certain areas have reached up to 38 degrees Celsius, which significantly increases the risk of fires spreading, especially in open areas such as bushes, forests and agricultural land,” he said.
He added that among the key challenges faced by authorities are uncontrolled open burning activities, including land clearing practices, as well as limited monitoring in high-risk areas.
Ahmad Izram said JBPM has identified and mapped fire-prone hotspots based on historical data and is intensifying surveillance efforts to prevent recurring incidents.
“We are concerned that uncontrolled open burning can spread rapidly to surrounding vegetation if not properly managed,” he said.
He added that firefighting operations for such incidents can be prolonged, sometimes taking more than a week to fully contain, with personnel required to work extended shifts of up to 24 hours.
Ahmad Izram said the department is strengthening its response through increased enforcement support, public awareness campaigns, and the use of technology, including drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to detect fires in remote areas.
He said collaboration with other agencies remains crucial to ensure effective monitoring and response efforts.
“We are not working in silos. Cooperation with other agencies and the public is essential to prevent fires from spreading and to safeguard communities,” he said.
He also urged the public to avoid open burning and remain vigilant during the current hot weather conditions.
