BEAUFORT: Fire and rescue Station Chief Muhammad Hasbullah Nenggok said wild boar and deer hunters are becoming major contributors to forest fires.
He said in addition to open agricultural burning, wild boar and deer hunters are purposely igniting forest fires.
“As plantations in the area expand, wild animals such as boars and deer flock to these areas, making them easy targets for hunters.
“However, what hunters may not realise is the potential harm their activities can cause, particularly when fires are accidentally sparked and escalate beyond control,” he said.
He said putting out forest fires, particularly peat fires, is not a simple undertaking.
“Operations will be tougher when there is no access for our vehicles and it requires the strength of many firefighters to put out the fire, especially during the dry spell,” he said.
He said some operations take more than five hours, but firemen are still responsible for ensuring that the fire is extinguished for everyone’s safety.
On that note, he stressed the need for everyone to be aware of their surroundings and the impact of their activities on the larger community.
He called everyone to be cautious and follow procedures to avoid forest fires.
The penalty for open burning is a maximum of RM2,000 per offence, with the second offence punishable by a fine of up to RM500,000, five years in prison, or both under the Environment Act.
