SIK: The heatwave advisory issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) for 10 districts in Kedah did not deter firefighters from carrying out their daily duties while observing the month of Ramadan.
Sik Fire and Rescue Station chief Zulkhairi Mat Tanjil said that firefighters have become accustomed to breaking their fast with mineral water and dates whenever there is an emergency call during sunset.
"It is always our priority to respond to distress calls first. Often, we receive emergency calls during iftar time, which could involve fire incidents or traffic accidents," he said in an interview at the station.
Providing an example, Zulkhairi mentioned that his team had to combat a 10-hectare fire at the Chebar Besar Forest Reserve on the first day of Ramadan.
"It was quite challenging, as we had to climb about 500 metres to reach the scene, and it took us three hours to completely extinguish the fire.
"During this dry spell, most of the emergency cases involve peat fires, open space fires, as well as the capture of venomous reptiles such as snakes," he explained.
He added that besides iftar, firefighters are also on standby during sahur (pre-dawn meal).
The station's supervisor, Muhammad Soffuan Sabri, mentioned that sometimes they are fortunate to receive treats from the public while responding to emergency cases at the scene.
"We always have bottled mineral water and dates prepared. So whenever we hear the emergency siren, we are ready to go," he said.
Meanwhile, the state Fire and Rescue Department director, Awang Hidzel Awang Bujang, said that the number of open burning cases is increasing during this prolonged dry spell caused by the El Nino phenomenon.
He emphasised that despite some areas experiencing recent rainfall, the temperature remains higher than usual.
"We advise rice farmers to be cautious when conducting open burning after harvesting their crops to prevent fires from spreading to nearby houses," he advised.
Yesterday, MetMalaysia issued a level one heatwave warning for 10 districts in Kedah, namely Padang Terap, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang, Sik, Baling, Kulim, Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, and Baling.
