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 were detected over Sumatra . Isolated hotspots were also detected over Kalimantan and Java. Satellite imagery detected slight to moderate smoke/ haze over 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 increased significantly in Sumatra. There were 258 hotspots in Sumatra and 25 hotspots in Kalimantan. In Kalimantan, hotspots were located in Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and East 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 4km. 

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

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good range (36). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport and Seletar Airport was 10km. In Seletar Airport , visibility was 6 in mist. Showers are likely in the next 2 days.

Based on FDRS reading, all fine fuels will easily ignite, potentially resulting in many fires in parts of Viet Nam, most parts of Sumatra and southern part of Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in parts of southern Sumatra. Both moderate- and high-intensity fires can be very common in parts of southern Borneo. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Sumatra. 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

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.

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.

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.