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 hot spots with smoke haze were being detected over south-western Borneo . Isolated hotspots were detected over Borneo and southern Sumatra.

In Brunei Darussalam, the air quality in the country on 29 August 2006 quality was within good level with PSI ranged to 20 - 24. There was no report received from Fire Department today.

Hotspots detected by NOAA 12 are shown in the following table:

The distribution of hotspots in Indonesia is detailed in the following table:

NOAA 12 detected 107 hotspots in Kalimantan, and 2 hotspots in Sumatra . Most fires occurred within the abandoned areas of the ex-plantation. Most fires occurred in peat land. Most fires were inaccessible, and water sources were difficult to find. In Riau Province , moderate air quality was recorded in Duri (51), while Rumbai and Minas recorded good air quality (27 and 29, respectively). The visibilities in Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and Palangka Raya ( Central Kalimantan ) was 4km, respectively.

On 29 August 2006, both NOAA 12 and NOAA 12 detected 1 hotspot in the State of Sarawak, respectively. At 11.00 am today, 35 stations recorded good air quality level and 15 stations recorded moderate level. None of the stations recorded unhealthy air quality status. At of 10.00 am, the visibilities in most of the cities in Peninsular Malaysia were between 8 to more than 10 km. In Sarawak, the visibilities in Sri Aman and Kuching were 3 and 4 km respectively while elsewhere are more than 10 km.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good level (36). Visibilities in both Changi and Seletar airports were 10 km. There are chances of showers in the next three days.

Most of air quality monitoring stations in the southern part of Thailand recorded good air quality, i.e. Surat Thani (18), Songkhla (43), Narathiwat (37), Satun (27) and Yala (17). Phuket recorded moderate air quality, reaching to 73. The visibilities in this part of Thailand were within the range of 9 – 12 km.

Based on FDRS reading, all fine fuels will easily ignite, potentially resulting in many fires in parts of Thailand , and parts of Borneo. Most fine fuels will easily ignite in parts of Sumatra. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in parts of Sumatra. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Sumatra, and parts of Borneo. Peat areas will produce widespread and severe haze from deep and long-burning fires in parts of Viet Nam. Drought conditions in peat areas and high-intensity fires are possible in parts of Sumatra, parts of Borneo. Smouldering in drained peat areas is possible in Thailand, Lao PDR, parts of Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, and parts of Sumatra.


Resources Mobilised and Actions Taken

Department of Environment Parks and Recreation of Brunei Darussalam continues monitoring the quality of air. Fire Service Department of Brunei Darussalam also continues to conduct air and ground surveillance for any fires incidence.Department of Civil Aviation of Brunei Darussalam also continues in providing information on weather situation.

In Indonesia, the Government of West Kalimantan Province investigated companies in Bengkayang, Sambas and Rasau Jaya districts whom suspected for doing open burning. Water bomb operations to suppress fires were conducted in South Sumatra , Jambi and Riau. Next operations will be conducted in Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan. The Government of Riau Province arrested as many as one farmer and personnel from 3 companies whom suspected doing the open burning. The Indonesia Government offered incentives to the farmers in fire-prone areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan. 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 Level 2 & 3 Alert 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 media briefing to update on the latest weather and haze situation in the region was also held on 19 July 2006. Four (4) officers from NEA made a fact finding trip to Pelalawan, Rokan Hilir and Bengkalis from 19-22 June 06 to review the ground situation in order to ascertain the technical requirements for the air and weather monitoring stations. An officer from the NEA was deployed to Riau , Indonesia for the period of 9-11 August 2006, following the activation of the Level 3 Alert.