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 numerous hotspots and smoke haze over southern parts of Sumatra. Isolated hot spots were detected over Malaysia, Kalimantan and Java islands.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 11 September and 12 September, there was no report of fire incidence. The air quality was within good range with PSI between 0 and 15. Isolated coastal showers with inland thundershowers would develop in the afternoon.

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

Hotspots were detected in Borneo and Sumatra. Hotspots were scattered in South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi and East Kalimantan. Hotspots were also detected in Bangka Belitung, Lampung, Bengkulu, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Malaysia. There was smoke haze in Kalimantan. Fires occurred mostly in abandoned ex-plantation areas and peatlands. Most fires were in inaccessible areas and water sources were difficult to find. Visibility in Pontianak, West Kalimantan was 5km.


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

On 12 September 2006, NOAA 12 detected 11 hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia which were distributed in the States of Pahang, Terengganu, Selangor, and Johor. As of 11.00 am today (13 September 2006), 19 stations recorded good air quality level and 32 stations recorded moderate level. None of the stations recorded unhealthy air quality status. Visibility readings in Senai, Melaka, Sitiawan, Alor Setar, Chuping, Ipoh , Muadzam Shah, Sepang (KLIA), Temerloh, Petaling Jaya, Bayan Lepas, Kuala Terengganu and Cameron Highlands were between 6km and 9km. In Perai, Butterworth, Batu Embun, Subang and Kuching, the visibility readings were between 2km and 5km. In other areas, the visibility reading was more than 10km.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within moderate range (51). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport was 10km, while in Seletar Airport, the visibility was between 7km and 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 Thailand, parts of Lao PDR, parts of northern Viet Nam, parts of Peninsular Malaysia, most parts of Sumatra and parts of Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in southern Sumatra. Both moderate- and high-intensity fires can be very common in parts of Sumatra and parts of Borneo. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Thailand, parts of Lao PDR, parts of Viet Nam, parts of Peninsular Malaysia, 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, parts of Sumatra and parts of southern Borneo. Persistent smouldering in natural peat areas and severe haze is likely in parts of southern Borneo. Drought conditions in peat areas and high-intensity fires are possible in parts of southern Sumatra and parts of Borneo. Smouldering in drained peat areas are possible in Thailand, Lao PDR, northern Viet Nam, Peninsular Malaysia, most parts of Sumatra and 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. Ministry of Environment of Indonesia has also deployed fire fighting equipment to Kotawaringin District, Central Kalimantan.

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 issuance of Alert Level 3 by the Interim ACC on 7 September 2006, Malaysia deployed one expert to Pontianak, West Kalimantan on 9 September 2006 to join the rapid assessment.

Following the Interim ACC's activation of the Alert Level 3 on 7 August 2006, the Singapore expert participated as a member of the Panel of ASEAN Experts to assess the ground fire situation in Riau, Indonesia on 9-11 August 2006. Following the re-activation of Alert Level 3 for Kalimantan on 7 September 2006, Singapore experts arrived in Pontianak on Monday, 11 September 2006 to join the rest of the members of the Panel of ASEAN Experts to assess the fire situation in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

On 31 August 2006, in view of the improved fire-and-haze situation in Sumatra, the ASMC advised the Interim ACC to downgrade alert level in Sumatra to Alert Level 1.

In view of the current fire-and-haze situation, following the issuance of Alert Level 3 by the ASMC on 7 September 2006, and taking into account the operational procedures of the Panel of ASEAN Experts on Fire and Haze Assessment and Coordination, the ASEAN Secretariat as the Interim ACC activated the Alert Level 3 on 7 September 2006 and suggested for the immediate deployment of the experts to West Kalimantan.

The experts are assisted by one officer deployed by the Interim ACC in conducting the joint rapid assessment.

The experts have concluded their mission today, 13 September 2006. Today, the experts had a briefing with head of local Coordinating Task Force. The head of Coordinating Task Force presented the experts with what has been done in suppressing fires and haze.

The experts found that there was a need for further capacity building. There was also a lack of sophisticated equipment, manpower and training. The experts assessed that the situation in Pontianak and northern district of West Kalimantan was under control due to shower activities. However, all parties must remain on alert in case of worsening situation.

The experts were unable to comment further due to the difficulty in accessing Ketapang, where there were several hotspots detected. It takes 5-6 hours to reach the area by speedboat from Pontianak.

The experts agreed that there was no assistance needed in mitigating fires. However, they need to stand by in case of worsening situation. The experts are meeting this evening to consolidate the assessment report for further submission to the NFPs.