MUSCAT : The authority warned that dry vegetation and strong winds can increase the risk of fires spreading. It reminded the public that fire prevention is a shared responsibility and urged people to contact the emergency number 9991 in the event of an emergency.

Grass and agricultural waste fires pose risks to public safety and the environment, potentially causing air pollution, damaging soil and threatening residential areas when flames spread beyond their original location.

According to the authority’s safety guidance, common causes of such fires include the improper burning of agricultural waste, unattended fires during outdoor trips, discarded cigarette butts, occasional spontaneous combustion involving fertilizers and deliberate arson.

Dry grass and trees, high temperatures, local terrain and active winds can further accelerate the spread of flames, making preventive measures particularly important in vulnerable areas.

The authority advised campers and outdoor visitors not to light fires directly on grass and to use a metal barrier where fires are permitted. It also stressed the importance of fully extinguishing fires before leaving a campsite and ensuring cigarette butts are completely out before disposal.

Residents and farmers were further urged to avoid burning waste in windy conditions and to dispose of agricultural waste safely rather than resorting to open burning.

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