{
  "id": 5857455,
  "title": "Negligence is all it takes to spark huge fire, warns Fire Dept",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/negligence-is-all-it-takes-to-spark-huge-fire-warns-fire-dept",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T23:15:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1526537/negligence-all-it-takes-spark-huge-fire-warns-fire-dept"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: A misplaced cigarette, unwatched rubbish, or a trivial fire used for clearing land may be sufficient to ignite a large-scale bush or peat fire during the ongoing hot and dry spell, warns the Fire and Rescue Department. Director-General Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohamad explained that extended dry weather has stripped moisture from grass, bushes, and other vegetation, creating easy fuel for fires. While intense heat alone does not directly cause major fire incidents, it sets the stage for even a minor ignition source to rapidly escalate into a much bigger blaze. Strong winds further exacerbate the situation by swiftly transporting flames across dry vegetation, expanding the area that firefighters must contain. The warning follows a significant increase in open-burning incidents nationwide during the recent hot and dry period, with cases soaring from 53 on August 20 to 231 on August 23. Nor Hisham stressed the critical importance of preventing fires from starting in the first place, especially as prolonged periods of little or no rainfall continue to dry out vegetation. Bush and grass fires constitute the majority of such incidents, with 18,426 recorded nationwide this year alone. He advised people to refrain from burning rubbish and garden waste, and using fire to clear agricultural lands during the current conditions. Fires must never be left unattended, and smokers should ensure cigarette butts are thoroughly extinguished and disposed of properly. Nor Hisham emphasized that open burning is an offense under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, and enforcement and prosecution fall under the Department of Environment's purview. He added that the Fire and Rescue Department would collaborate with other enforcement agencies to share information if evidence of open burning is discovered during firefighting operations.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: A carelessly discarded cigarette butt, an unattended pile of burning rubbish or a small fire used to clear land could be all it takes to ignite a major bush or peat fire during the current hot and dry spell.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Negligence is all it takes to spark huge fire, warns Fire Dept",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/negligence-is-all-it-takes-to-spark-huge-fire-warns-fire-dept-5857456",
        "published": "2026-09-05T23:15:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}