Lyna Mohamad

Brunei Darussalam is experiencing the West-Sea Monsoon and is getting the lowest rainfall compared to other months resulting in a dry condition that began last December 2019 and expected until this month.

An increase of weather temperature of more 34 degree Celsius is recorded during this season, which leads to the risks of forest and grass fire incidents.

This was shared by the Meteorological Department at the Coordination Meeting between Various Agencies to Tackle Fire and Grass Fires during the Drought Season at the At-Tafkir Conference Room of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) yesterday.

Permanent Secretary (Safety, Welfare and Law) at the Ministry of Home Affairs Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud chaired the meeting.

The meeting aimed to identify preparedness measures of agencies in facing the drought season and dry weather, including forest and grass fire incidents as well as discussed logistic provision, personnel and unified actions between the government and public sector in tackling the drought season and efforts to raise public awareness on dry weather impact.

Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) recorded 370 calls from January to February 2020 and fire affected almost 375 hectares of forest in all the four districts and to tackle these fire incidents, 20 fire stations have been activated.

Director-General of Public Works, district officers, Acting Director of NDMC, Acting Director of Fire and Rescue, senior officers and representatives from relevant agencies such as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Radio Television Brunei, Emergency Medical and Accident Services, Forestry Department and the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE) were also present.

Representatives from Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd (BLNG) were also present.

Members of the public and road users are advised to avoid open burning, throwing cigarettes butts or engage in any activities that could cause forest and grass fires throughout the season.

They are also advised to take precautionary measures in looking after the safety of all particularly during this weather and to call the FRD at hotline 995 to report any forest and grass fire incidents.