Malaysia records 18,432 open fires in seven months as 183 hotspots put on watchlist

Malaysia has documented 18,432 open fires in the first seven months of 2026, nearly double the 9,941 cases reported throughout 2025, according to the Fire and Rescue Department. Director-General Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip noted that 183 recurring hotspots were being closely monitored, particularly during the ongoing dry spell.

These hotspots are situated in areas where fires have occurred at least five times in three consecutive years, with the highest concentration in Sarawak, followed by Sabah and Labuan. The Malaysian Borneo region accounts for 45 of these hotspots. The department emphasized that the risk of rapid fire spread is heightened by dry weather, low humidity, strong winds, and proximity to populated areas, settlements, industries, or critical infrastructure.

In 2024, the agency recorded 16,294 such fires, a significant increase from 11,318 cases in 2023. Bush and grassland fires constituted 84.2% of all incidents nationwide, predominantly affecting Kedah, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Selangor. The department's operations are challenged by difficult access, limited water sources, large fire areas, and the need for additional equipment and logistical support.

Peatland fires, in particular, are challenging due to their ability to smolder beneath the surface and reignite after visible flames have been extinguished. The Malaysian Meteorological Department warned that southwest winds carrying smoke from hotspots in southern Sumatra and western Kalimantan could deteriorate air quality and visibility in several Malaysian states, including Sarawak, Sabah, and several others, ahead of National Day on August 31.

The government is considering contingency measures for National Day celebrations due to the deteriorating air quality, which could reduce visibility and raise health concerns. Despite the mounting pressures, fire and rescue personnel expressed their commitment to their duties, with the department implementing personnel rotations, rest, meals, safety briefings, and psychosocial support to ensure the well-being of the personnel.