Malaysia records over 13,000 bush fires in first four months of 2026

Malaysia has recorded at least 13,775 bush fires between January and April 2026, a figure that nearly doubles the total number of incidents throughout the entirety of 2025. Fire and Rescue Department director-general Nor Hisham Mohammad described this sharp increase as an "alarming trend."

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Although the data only covered the period up to April, the 13,775 bush fires have already surpassed the total recorded throughout last year.

Mohammad attributed the surge primarily to hot and dry weather conditions, exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon and human-related open burning activities. He noted that while the data only covers the first four months, the number of bush fires has already surpassed last year's total. In 2025, there were 7,984 cases, following 9,294 in 2023 and 13,182 in 2024. Bush fires are defined as open blazes involving vegetation like shrubs and grass, distinct from forest or plantation fires.

"The increasingly hot weather has caused vegetation, scrubland and peatland areas to become extremely dry, allowing fires to spread rapidly," Mohammad explained. He added that El Nino, which reduces rainfall, heightens the risk of large-scale fires, while agricultural waste burning, improper rubbish disposal, and human negligence remain significant causes.

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The increasingly hot weather has caused vegetation, scrubland and peatland areas to become extremely dry, allowing fires to spread rapidly.

The department is actively monitoring 83 hot spots nationwide identified as being at high risk of major fires. Preparedness measures include intensified patrols, readiness of firefighting assets, and potential water-bombing operations. Data also indicates that plantation and farm fires recorded in early 2026 have already surpassed the totals for 2024 and 2025. Enforcement and monitoring efforts are being stepped up, with the potential mobilization of water tankers to assist residents affected by water supply disruptions.

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The El Nino phenomenon, which reduces rainfall, has also heightened the risk of large-scale fires, while the burning of agricultural waste, open disposal of rubbish and human negligence remain among the main causes of such blazes.