{
  "id": 1695419,
  "title": "Sabah Fire Dept issues stern warning as eight areas hit by 12‑day dry spell",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/sabah-fire-dept-issues-stern-warning-as-eight-areas-hit-by-12-day-dry",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T10:39:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/18/sabah-fire-dept-issues-stern-warning-as-eight-areas-hit-by-12day-dry-spell/231826"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA KINABALU, Aug 18 – Eight regions spanning seven districts in Sabah are currently grappling with a prolonged dry spell, with intervals of 12 to 14 consecutive days without precipitation, according to the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director, Mohd Pisar Aziz. Areas that have been rainless for over a week are deemed at high risk of fires and haze, prompting the Fire and Rescue Department to issue a stern warning to the public. \"Carrying out any open burning could exacerbate the already dire situation,\" Mohd Pisar cautioned in a statement released today.\n\nKeningau and Pitas bore the brunt of the aridity, enduring 14 consecutive days without rain, while Wario Livestock Centre in Kota Belud and Ranau Station each faced 13 days of drought. Additional locations affected include the Kimanis Agriculture Office in Papar, Laban Rata on Mount Kinabalu in Ranau, Serinsim Sub-Station in Kota Marudu, and Kota Kinabalu Station, all of which experienced 12 consecutive days without rainfall. Mohd Pisar also emphasized that offenders of open burning could face legal repercussions, including fines under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU, Aug 18 — Eight areas across seven districts in Sabah are experiencing a prolonged dry spell, with b...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sabah Fire Dept issues stern warning as eight areas hit by 12‑day dry spell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/sabah-fire-dept-issues-stern-warning-as-eight-areas-hit-by-12-day-dry-1696564",
        "published": "2026-08-18T10:39:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}