The department’s deputy director of operations and rescue Salahuddin Isa said cases peaked on Sunday and yesterday, with 16 reported on each day.

He said 30 incidents were recorded from March 18 to 20, 27 from March 21 to 22, and another 30 from March 23 to 24.

“In total, we averaged about 12 incidents per day,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

Salahuddin said most fires involved scrubland and grassy areas near residential zones, highways, cemeteries and industrial areas, with Kuantan recording the highest frequency.

He said operational personnel remained sufficient, with additional support available from other districts.

Salahuddin urged the public to refrain from open burning, warning that the current hot spell has increased the risk of fires spreading rapidly.