ASEAN Secretariat - The report is compiled by the ASEAN Secretariat based on feedback from relevant ASEAN Member Countries and will be updated on a regular basis.


Report of Current Situation

Numerous hotspots with smoke/ haze were detected in southern Sumatra and southern half part of Kalimantan. Moderate to severe smoke/ haze was reported in Kalimantan.

In Brunei Darussalam, from 23 September to 25 September yesterday, there was no fire reported. The air quality was within moderate range with PSI between 24 and 62. Generally fair but slightly hazy, however there is a chance of isolated showers and thundershowers occasionally crossing both land and sea.

In Indonesia, hotspots detected by NOAA 12 are shown in the following table:

Hotspots increased in Kalimantan. There were hotspots scattered in Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra and Lampung. Smoke haze was detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Fires occurred mostly in abandoned ex-plantation areas and peatlands. Most fires were in inaccessible areas and water sources were difficult to find. LAPAN predicted that there would be rainfall in part of North Sumatra and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Air quality in Central Kalimantan was within unhealthy level. In South Kalimantan, haze disrupted flight schedules in the morning. Health Agency of South Kalimantan has already distributed 8,500 masks in Banjarbaru District. Visibility in Palembang, South Sumatra, has decreased to 4km.


The distribution of hotspots in Indonesia as detected by NOAA 12 is shown in the following table: 

In Malaysia, on 25 September 2006, NOAA 18 detected 39 hotspots in Sarawak . The fire weather index in Sabah and east Sarawak is low. However in west Sarawak , the index is moderate and high. As of 11.00 am today (26 September 2006), 26 stations recorded good air quality level and 21 stations recorded moderate level. The air quality status in southern part of Sarawak remains unhealthy with 3 stations namely Sibu, Sarikei and Sri Aman recorded the API readings of 105, 117 and 123, respectively. As of 11.00 am the visibility reading in Sabah has deteriorated to between 6km and 9km. In Sarawak, the visibility reading remains between 2.5km and 6km. In other areas, the visibility was more than 10km. Rainfall is likely in the next 2 days.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within moderate range (54). Visibility in Singapore Changi Airport was between 7km and 10km. Visitbility in Seletar Airport was between 8km and 10km.

Based on FDRS reading, all fine fuels will easily ignite, potentially resulting in many fires in parts of Thailand, parts of Viet Nam, southern Sumatra and most parts of Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in southern Sumatra and parts of southern Borneo. Both moderate- and high-intensity fires can be very common in parts of Borneo. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Borneo. Peat areas will produce widespread and severe haze from deep and long-burning fires in parts of southern Sumatra. Drought conditions in peat areas and high-intensity fires are possible in parts of Viet Nam, parts of southern Borneo. Smouldering in drained peat areas is possible in Thailand, Lao PDR, parts of Viet Nam, Peninsular Malaysia, most parts of Sumatra and most parts of Borneo.


Resources Mobilised and Actions Taken

In Brunei Darussalam, Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation continues its role in monitoring the air quality. Fire Service Department of Brunei Darussalam also continues to conduct air and ground surveillance for any fire incidence. Department of Civil Aviation of Brunei Darussalam also continues to provide information on weather situation.

Governor of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, has indicated that there were plantation companies in Central Kalimantan that have conducted land clearing by open burning. The Police Department of Central Kalimantan has initiated investigation. Governor of Central Kalimantan has instructed all district governments that starting today, 26 September 2006, they have to leverage forest fires control and prohibit open burning. Forestry Agency of Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan has prepared a water bomber helicopter to suppress forest fires. The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) continues to provide information on weather situation and fire danger information. Meteorological Services of Indonesia continues to provide information on weather situation.

In Malaysia, all DoE State Offices have been directed to intensify enforcement actions against open burning activities since 13 June 2006 in view of the beginning of the dry season. Aerial and ground surveillance are intensified to curb open burning activities in Malaysia throughout the country and all hotspot detected will be verified accordingly. The Air Division of DoE and the Central Forecast Office of Malaysia Meteorological Department (MMD) continue to remain vigilance and closely monitor the API readings, visibility and the weather conditions. In view of high number of hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan, as well as the south-westerly monsoon, two meetings of the Working Group on Haze Action were held in early July and middle of August to prepare for the necessary local actions as well as to respond to Alert Levels 2 and 3 issued by the Interim ACC. The public in Malaysia can submit their open burning complaints to Department of Environment (DoE) through toll free – JASLINE (1-800-88-2727).