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 with slight to moderate smoke haze were detected over southern part of Kalimantan . Isolated hotspots were also detected over Viet Nam and Sulawesi.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 5 September, there was no report of incidence of short-lived land and forest fires. The air quality was within moderate level. There was slight to moderate smoke haze but brief showers are expected in the morning and afternoon.

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

Hotspots were detected only over Borneo. A total of 209 hotspots were scattered in West Kalimantan (11), Central Kalimantan (106), South Kalimantan (43) and East Kalimantan (47). Two (2) hotspots were detected in Malaysia. Smoke haze was observed 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. LAPAN predicted that there would be rainfall in North Sumatra, Central Papua and East Papua.


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

People in affected areas with air quality indicating unhealthy level must put on masks. In Sintang District, elderly people, children and those who have light heart and breathing problems, particularly those who live in affected areas, should reduce physical and outdoor activities. Police Department Agency of Central Kalimantan has already issued warning to the local communities to limit burning practices. Visibility in Pontianak, West Kalimantan has decreased to 1.2km.

In Malaysia, on 6 September 2006, NOAA 18 detected 8 hotspots in the State of Sarawak. As of 11.00 am today (7 September 2006), 29 stations recorded good air quality level and 22 stations recorded moderate level. None of the stations recorded unhealthy air quality status. Visibility readings in most areas in Peninsular Malaysia were more than 10 km except in Muadzam Shah, Melaka, and Batu Pahat where the visibility readings were 8 km. In Sarawak, the visibility in the western parts remained below 10 km. In Kuching, 5 km, Sri Aman and Sibu, 6 to 7 km. Other areas including Sabah, the visibility was more than 10 km.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good level (48). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport and Seletar Airport was within 8-10km. 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 most parts of Thailand, parts of Lao PDR, parts of Viet Nam, southern Sumatra and most parts of Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in parts of southern Sumatra and parts of southern Borneo. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Thailand, parts of Lao PDR 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 southern 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 southern Borneo. Smouldering in drained peat areas is possible in Thailand, Lao PDR, parts of Viet Nam, Peninsular Malaysia, most parts of Sumatra and parts of Borneo.


Resources Mobilised and Actions Taken

Department of Environment Parks and Recreation of Brunei Darussalam continues to monitor the air quality. Fire Service Department of Brunei Darussalam also continues to conduct air and ground surveillance to curb open burning activities. Department of Civil Aviation of Brunei Darussalam also continues to provide information on weather situation.

In Indonesia, local NGOs in Central Kalimantan have suspected that there are 6 (six) companies in Central Kalimantan that conducted land clearing by open burning. Government of Kotawaringin Timur district in Central Kallimantan has already activated an Anti Fire campaign in its region to control fires and do some socialisation activities. Ministry of the Environment of Indonesia is investigating 7 companies in Sumatra and Kalimantan; i.e. 4 companies in Riau, 2 companies in West Kalimantan and 1 company in North Sumatra. The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) continues to provide information on weather situation and fire danger information.

All DoE State Offices of Malaysia 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 the Alert Level 2 and 3 issued by the Interim ACC. DoE of Malaysia continues to disseminate daily information on current situation related to air quality to the public through mass media. The public in Malaysia can submit their open burning complaints to Department of Environment (DoE) through toll free – JASLINE (1-800-88-2727).

In Singapore, an Inter-Ministry Haze Task Force Meeting was held on 19 May 2006 to update members on the regional weather and haze situation and assessment for the next few months. A team of 4 officers from NEA made a fact finding trip to Pelalawan, Rokan Hilir and Bengkalis on 19-22 June 2006 to review the ground situation in order to ascertain the technical requirements for the air and weather monitoring stations. Singapore convened a media briefing to update on the latest weather and haze situation in the region on 19 July 2006. Following the Interim ACC's activation of the Alert Level 3 on 7 August 2006, an NEA officer representing Singapore participated as a member of the Panel of ASEAN Experts to assess the ground fire situation in Riau, Indonesia.