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

Scattered hotspots with slight smoke haze affected central and southern parts of Sumatra . Isolated hotspots were detected over Kalimantan.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 19 September, there was no fire reported. The air quality was within good range with PSI between 15 and 17. The visibility in general was 10km. It is predicted that one or two brief showers may break out later in the morning and afternoon.

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

Hotspots decreased significantly in Borneo. There were 15 hotspots in Kalimantan and 142 hotspots in Sumatra. In Kalimantan, hotspots were located in Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and East 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 northern part of Indonesia and in Papua. PSI reading in Dumai district was within moderate range (67). Visibility in Riau, Pekanbaru was 4km.

In Malaysia, on 19 September 2006, NOAA 18 detected 1 hotspot in Perak .As of 11.00 am today (20 September 2006), 27 stations recorded good air quality level and 23 stations recorded moderate level. None of the stations recorded unhealthy air quality status. Visibility readings in Prai, Bayan Lepas, Butterworth, Alor Setar, Sitiawan, Batu Embun, Temerloh, Sri Aman were between 6km and 8km. Visibility reading in Muadzam Shah was 2.5km. 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 good range (42). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport and Seletar Airport was 10km.

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.

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).

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 revised version (final) of the experts' mission report to West Kalimantan on 18 September 2006. The mission report has been subsequently circulated to the National Focal Points on the same day.

Following the advice of the ASMC and in view of the improved fire-and-haze situation in Kalimantan , ASEAN Secretariat as the Interim ACC downgraded the alert level in Kalimantan to Alert Level 2 on 18 September 2006.