KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) recorded 6,326 cases of open fires from January to April.

According to JBPM Deputy Director General (Operations) Datuk Edwin Galan Teruki, the month of April showed a significant increase in cases, amounting to 2,220 cases.

He said that from January to March, the main states involved in open fires were Kedah, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.

"A total of 20 main peatland fire locations have been identified involving states such as Selangor, Johor, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak and Kelantan.

"Meanwhile, the total number of calls received by the fire department for fire and rescue cases from January to March 2023 was 31,108 calls," he said here.

Edwin said that the rainy weather in the afternoon had helped somewhat to quell the open fires that were currently occurring. The estimated loss as of March 2023 amounted to RM842.3 million, while the estimated property saved was RM5.5 billion.

Meanwhile, he advised the public to always ensure that fire safety levels are at their best. The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) previously issued a level one alert warning in several areas in Peninsular Malaysia following hot weather reaching daily maximum temperatures of 35-37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.