Malaysia has experienced a significant surge in open fires nationwide during the first eight months of 2026, nearly surpassing the combined total of cases recorded over the previous two years. Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, director-general of the Fire and Rescue Department, reported that 20,927 incidents involving forest, bush, and wild grass fires were recorded as of August, compared with 8,147 cases in 2025 and 14,821 cases in 2024.

The rise in fires has been attributed primarily to an ongoing dry spell, continued open burning, and other preventable activities such as rubbish disposal and vegetation clearing. Nor Hisham noted that there is an average of 87 such fires daily, with 183 open burning hotspots identified nationwide. Of these, 63 are considered at risk of developing into large-scale fires spanning more than 25 hectares.

Efforts to combat the fires include cloud seeding, which has shown positive results in specific areas like Bakun and Murum in Sarawak. However, Nor Hisham emphasized that cloud seeding cannot guarantee rain over affected regions and is insufficient for extinguishing peat fires, which burn deep underground. The department continues to rely on traditional firefighting methods such as flooding or saturating peat areas, creating firebreaks, and deploying aerial firefighting support when necessary.

Firefighters face particular challenges when dealing with forest, bush, and peatland fires, which differ from conventional urban fires. Peat fires can smolder underground long after surface flames appear controlled, posing a risk of reignition. Other difficulties include limited access to fire sites, scarcity of water sources, and environmental conditions such as hot weather, strong winds, soft terrain, and narrow routes. Nor Hisham cited recent firefighting operations in Pengerang, Johor, where crews battled fires for over a week, covering 11 hectares before extinguishing the blaze.

The physical demands on firefighters are considerable, involving exposure to prolonged heat, dense smoke, and fine particulate matter. To mitigate health risks and fatigue, crews are closely monitored and rotated regularly.

In Sabah, dry weather has also contributed to a rise in open burning cases, with 1,551 incidents reported since March. Mohd Pisar Aziz, director of the state Fire and Rescue Department, highlighted that most incidents were bush fires, representing 65.2% of cases, while forest fires accounted for about 24.6%. The peak period for incidents was the second quarter of the year, with 655 cases recorded.

Both officials stressed the importance of public cooperation in preventing and reporting open burning activities to mitigate the risks. They urged citizens to avoid open burning entirely, promptly extinguish any fires, and serve as vigilant observers to aid firefighting efforts. The authorities emphasized that protecting lives, property, and the environment requires shared responsibility amid ongoing dry conditions and high fire risk.