Fire and rescue operations director Ahmad Irzam Osman said the areas included Mukah and Miri in Sarawak; Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu; Kuantan in Pahang; Pasir Mas and Bachok in Kelantan; and the Kuala Langat Utara Forest Reserve in Selangor.

As such, he said, periodic monitoring, either through patrols or aerial surveys using helicopters or drones, was being carried out with the forestry and environment departments to ensure the situation remained under control.

“So far, a level one hot weather status has been detected in two areas, namely Padang Terap in Kedah, and Jempol in Negeri Sembilan.

“Residents in the affected areas have been reminded to be alert because the maximum daily temperature has reached 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days,” he told Bernama.

Ahmad Irzam also said 4,106 cases of open burning had been recorded up till end of March.

“We expect the number to increase following the hot weather forecast until next August, compared to 9,596 cases recorded last year.

“Peatland fires are also categorised as open burning because they involve large-scale burning that may be triggered due to the current weather conditions,” he said.

He said the department was prepared to handle the expected increase in open burning cases because of the hot weather.