PETALING JAYA: Firemen have been directed to look out for sites where open burning can be carried out, said Fire and Rescue Department assistant director-general (operations) Zulkarnain Mohd Kassim.

“We are closely monitoring the situation, and our officers are looking out for sources of fire but the situation is under control,” he said.

The worsening haze, which has heavily blanketed the city over the last few days, was caused mainly by smoke and dust particles from over 300 forest fires raging in Sumatra coupled with some local fires.

Zulkarnain said four small fires were detected in Negri Sembilan (Bahau, Seremban Jaya, Pantai and Nilai), one in Johor and five in Selangor (Batang Berjuntai, Tanjung Karang, Puchong, Taman Mas and a rubbish dump in Kampung Tanjung, Dengkil).

“Most are bush fires and open burning cases caused by land clearing, landscaping and agriculture-related activities and burning of rubbish,'' he said.

On Monday, the Department of Environment announced an immediate ban on open burning in the Klang Valley.

Meanwhile, a check with the airport control towers in Subang and KL International Airport showed no flight delays.