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 were detected over southern part of Kalimantan. Isolated hotspots were detected over Sulawesi, Sumatra and Java Island.

On 18 September, there was no fire reported in Brunei Darussalam. The air quality was within good range with PSI between 10 and 48. Cloudy with intermittent, occasionally moderate to heavy, rain showers are expected during the period.

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

Hotspots were detected mostly in Borneo. There were 374 hotspots in Kalimantan and 6 hotspots in Sumatra. In Kalimantan, hotspots were located in Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan. There was smoke haze detected in Central 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 Pontianak, West Kalimantan was 8km.


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

On 18 September 2006, there were no hotspots detected in Malaysia. As of 11.00 am today (19 September 2006), 34 stations recorded good air quality level and 17 stations recorded moderate level. None of the stations recorded unhealthy air quality status. As of 10.00 a.m, visibility readings in Butterworth, Sitiawan, Batu Embun, Limbang and Labuan were between 5 km and 6 km. In other areas, visibility reading was between 8km and more than 10 km. Rainfall is likely in the next 2 days.


No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good range (32). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport and Seletar Airport was 10km. There is a chance of showers 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, parts of southern Sumatra and parts of southern Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in parts of southern Borneo. Both moderate- and high-intensity fires can be very common in parts of northern Viet Nam. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of southern 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 Borneo. 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 yesterday. The mission report has been subsequently circulated to the National Focal Points.

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.