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 were detected in Sumatra and Borneo. Most parts of Borneo and southern half of Sumatra were blanketed with smoke haze.

In Brunei Darussalam, there was no fire reported on 2 October. The air quality was at moderate level with PSI ranging at 36 - 97. Moderate to thick haze persisted during the period with a chance of occasional showers in the afternoon.

Hotspots increased significantly in Sumatra. Hotspots were mostly concentrated in South Sumatra. Hotspots were also detected in other provinces in Sumatra as shown below. Hotspots in Kalimantan were mostly located in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. Smoke haze was observed both in Kalimantan and Sumatra. 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 dry condition in Indonesia and that there would be rainfall in Riau, East Kalimantan and East Papua. Visibility in Palembang, South Sumatra was 2km.


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

On 2 October 2006, NOAA 12 detected 10 hotspots in Malaysia. The hotspots were scattered in the States of Sarawak (2), Perak (1), Pahang (4), Johor (1) and Negeri Sembilan (2). The fire weather index in Peninsular Malaysia has deteriorated slightly from low to moderate. The fire weather index is high in the central parts and the east coast. In Sarawak, the index is low in the east, moderate in the centre and high and extreme in the west. The air quality in southern parts of Sarawak and Sabah has deteriorated as of 11.00 am today (3 October 2006). Eight (8) stations, namely Kuching (124), Sibu (160), Bintulu (117), Sarikei (196), Sri Aman (155), Kapit (118), Petrajaya (128) and Tawau (132) recorded unhealthy air quality level . Southern parts of Sarawak were covered with thick and slight smoke from Kalimantan . Meanwhile, 28 stations recorded good air quality level and 15 stations recorded moderate level. At 11.00 am, visibility in fair weather over the whole Peninsular Malaysia remains more than 10 km. However, in Sabah and Sarawak, visibility remains low, between 0.7 km and 3.0 km. There are chances of showers in East Malaysia and rainfall is likely in Peninsular Malaysia for the next 2 days.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within moderate range (73). Visibility in Singapore Changi Airport was 10km, while in Seletar Airport the visibility was between 8km and 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 parts of Thailand, parts of northern Viet Nam, parts of Peninsular Malaysia, southern Sumatra and most parts of Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in southern Sumatra and parts of southern Borneo. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Thailand and parts of Borneo. Peat areas will produce widespread and severe haze from deep and long-burning fires in parts of southern Sumatra. Persistent smouldering in natural peat areas and severe haze are likely in 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 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.

In Indonesia, The Governor of South Sumatra has proposed a joint cloud seeding operation with the Central Government to suppress fires in Ogan Komering Ilir District. 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.

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 Kalimantacurn on 9 September 2006 to join the rapid assessment. In view of haze situation currently experienced in southern parts of Sarawak, a State Committee Disaster Relief and Management Meeting was held yesterday (2 October 2006) to prepare for the necessary local actions. Inter alia, the Meeting has agreed to conduct cloud seeding operations to improve the haze situation in the affected areas.

On 27 September 2006, in view of deterioration of the fire and haze situation in South Sumatra, the ASMC advised the Interim ACC to upgrade the alert level in Sumatra to Alert Level 2. ASEAN Secretariat issued a Press Release on Actions Taken and Preparations by ASEAN during the Current Dry Season to Mitigate Fires and Address Transboundary Haze Pollution on 11 September 2006. 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 experts' mission report to West Kalimantan on 18 September 2006. The mission report was subsequently circulated to the National Focal Points on the same day.