In Brunei Darussalam efforts to strengthen the institutional, technical and legal capacity to prevent and combat forest fires have been undertaken. This includes such physical measures as constructing fire breaks in forest reserves to prevent fire spread, observation towers for early detection and warning, and fences that prevent people from entering some fire sensitive areas. The ground and aerial forest firefighting capacity (in terms of equipment) has also been enhanced and improved. Brunei Darussalam has been working closely with its colleagues in Limbang, Miri and Lawas of Malaysia in combating forest fires in areas bordering the shared national boundaries.
Existing legislation, as contained in the Forest Act, prohibits persons form kindling, keeping or carrying any fire or leaving any fire burning that may endanger the reserved forests. Open burning is still a common practice. Open burning, though discouraged, is nonetheless observed during land clearing activities for development for agriculture, as well as at construction and rubbish dumping sites. Presently, open burning is not allowed at government rubbish dump sites and forest reserves. Under new provisions of section 277A of the Emergency Order (Penal Code Amendment, 1998), open burning was prohibited during dry seasons and prolonged drought. A stiffer fine of B$100 000.00 was imposed on offences relating to open burning. Where such offences cause pollution to the atmosphere or endanger human life or property the punishment is a fine of an unlimited amount and/or imprisonment for a term of up to five years (Anonymous 2000).
