PETALING JAYA, May 14 — The country’s firefighters are keeping their fingers crossed that the coming dry season, which could see the onset of the El Nino phenomenon, will not last more than two months. 

Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said if the dry season goes beyond that period, his men would still be able to handle any open fires that might break out. 

“It is hard to say how strong the impact of El Nino will be, but we hope it does not go beyond two months,” he said.

Indicating that peat land areas were of major concern, he explained that peat land could retain moisture for about two months after which it becomes combustible. 

Peat fires have been blamed for past haze episodes in the country as they are mostly subterranean fires, which are difficult to put out.

Wan Mohd Nor said if the El Nino phenomenon did set in, the department was prepared to take precautionary measures, including putting firefighters’ leave on hold.

“This will ensure we have enough firefighters to tackle the situation if it worsens,” he said.

Wan Mohd Nor said 100 water tankers, which could hold up to 20,000 litres of water, had been commissioned since last year to tackle the dry weather.

“Currently, we have 40 water tankers available, with the newly arrived 10 tankers.

“Another 10 tankers are expected to be received next month, which will give us a total of 50 tankers,” he said.

Wan Mohd Nor said the remaining tankers were expected to be ready this year and would be deployed gradually throughout the months.

He said the water tankers would not only help in a drought, but would be helpful during water rationing because fire hydrants would also be affected in areas facing rationing.

El Nino, which is a natural phenomenon that takes place every three to seven years, is predicted to hit Malaysia in a month’s time, but the severity of the impact has yet to be determined.

The country experienced El Nino in 2009 but its effect was minimal.