KOTA BARU: The Fire and Rescue Department has identified six districts in Kelantan as "hotspots" for open burning.
The districts are Bachok, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Gua Musang, Tumpat and Kota Baru.
Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operation) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman the cases mostly involved forest and bush fires.
He added that carelessness contributed to the drastic increase of 1,730 open burning cases recorded in Kelantan this year.
He said the figure was recorded between January to June 23 this year.
"These fires occurred in 40 hotspot areas in the six districts.
"The number of open burning cases has increased from that recorded for the whole of last year of 848 cases," he said.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the firemen volunteer programme for the east coast region, Izram said the department would monitor the hotspot areas closely, especially during the current hot season.
"Besides forest and bush fires, open burning in Kelantan also occurs at rubbish dumping grounds.
"Based on our records, many of the fires occurred repeatedly," he said.
On today's programme, he said most of those who joined as volunteer firemen were youths.
"Last year, we had 358 teams with 8,000 volunteer firemen and this year, the number has slightly increased.
"This year we have 369 teams of 8,398 volunteers. They have helped us in various activities including in rescue work," he added.
He said the department was ready to face the coming Northeast Monsoon season.
"We have made all the necessary preparations in term of assets and logistics.
"Our firemen in all stations have been told to be on stand-by mode and to check all the assets such as boats and life jackets," he added.