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

Hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and the southern half part of Sumatra.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 20 September, there was no fire reported. The air quality was within good range with PSI between 17 and 19. The visibility in general was 10km. It is predicted that it will be generally fair apart from few isolated coastal showers and inland thundershowers in the afternoon.

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

 Hotspots decreased significantly in Sumatra. There were 33 hotspots in Sumatra and 18 hotspots in Kalimantan. In Kalimantan, hotspots were located in Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and South Kalimantan. Haze was detected in Sumatra. 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 northern part of Indonesia and in Papua. Visibility in Palembang, South Sumatra, was 8km.


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

In Malaysia, on 21 September 2006, NOAA 18 detected 2 hotspots in Sabah. In Terengganu, NOAA 18 detected 1 hot spot, while in Sarawak 2 hotspots detected. As of 11.00 am today (22 September 2006), 22 stations recorded good air quality level and 27 stations recorded moderate level. None of the stations recorded unhealthy air quality status. Visibility readings in Petaling Jaya, Batu Pahat, Muadzam Shah, Kluang and Senai were between 8km and 9km. Visibility readings in Alor Setar, Sitiwan and Batu Embun were between 6km and 7km. In other areas visibility reading was more than 10 km. Rainfall is likely in the next 2 days.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within moderate range (53). Visibility in Singapore Changi Airport was between 8km and 10km. In Seletar Airport, visibility was 10km.

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

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). 

On 31 August 2006, in view of the improved fire-and-haze situation in Sumatra, the ASMC advised the Interim ACC to downgrade the alert level in Sumatra to Alert Level 1. ASEAN Secretariat issued a Press Release on Actions Taken and Preparations by ASEAN during the Current Dry Season to Mitigate Fires and Address Transboundary Haze Pollution on 11 September 2006. Following the deployment of members of the Panel of ASEAN Experts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the ASEAN Secretariat to West Kalimantan on 11-13 September 2006, the Interim ACC received the experts' mission report to West Kalimantan on 18 September 2006. The mission report was subsequently circulated to the National Focal Points on the same day.