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

There were scattered hotspots over southern part of Kalimantan, while isolated hotspots were detected over Thailand, southern part of Sumatra and Java island. There was no visible haze detected by satellite.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 16 September and 17 September, there was no fire reported. Isolated showers are expected around mid day and thunderstorms are expected later in the afternoon. The air quality was within good range with PSI between 9 and 12. The general visibility was 10km.

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

Hotspots were detected in Sumatra and Borneo. There were 256 hotspots in Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Lampung and South Sumatra. There was no smoke haze detected. LAPAN predicted that there would be rainfall in Maluku, southeast of Sulawesi, West Kalimantan and parts of West Papua. Visibility in Pontianak, West Kalimantan was 10km.

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 (31). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport and Seletar Airport was 10km. 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, 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.

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.

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 today and circulated it 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.