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

Thick smoke haze and numerous hotspots were detected in southern part of Sumatra. Hotspots were also detected over southern part of Borneo, Java and Sulawesi.

In Brunei Darussalam, there was no fire reported from 30 September to 1 October. The weather is expected to be fair but slight to moderate haze persists. The air quality was at moderate level with PSI ranging at 33 - 65. The visibility in general was 2km.

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

Hotspots increased significantly in Sumatra and Kalimantan. There were hotspots concentrated in South Sumatra, Lampung and South Kalimantan. Smoke haze was detected 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 that it would be dry in Indonesia and that there would be rainfall in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and part of North Sumatra. Most fires occurred in Sultan Adam National Park in South Kalimantan and Tanjung National Park in Jambi. Visibility in Pontianak, West Kalimantan was 300m.

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

In Malaysia, there were no hotspots detected in Malaysia on 1 October 2006. The fire weather index in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah is low and moderate. The fire weather index in the east of Sarawak is low, but it is high in the west. The air quality in southern parts of Sarawak deteriorated as of 11.00 am today (2 October 2006). Seven (7) stations, namely Kuching (116), Sibu (158), Sarikei (175), Samarahan (124), Sri Aman (157), Kapit (110) and Petrajaya (143) recorded unhealthy air quality level . Southern parts of Sarawak were covered with slight smoke from Kalimantan. Meanwhile, 33 stations recorded good air quality level and 11 stations recorded moderate level. At 11.00 am, visibility in fair weather over the whole Peninsular Malaysia remained more than 10 km. However, visibility in Sabah and Sarawak remained low with Kuching and Sri Aman reporting visibility reading below 1 km. In other areas in the two states, the visibility readings were between 1km and 6 km. Rainfall is likely in the next 2 days.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good range (41). Visibility in Singapore Changi Airport was between 8km and 10km, while in Seletar Airport the visibility was 8km. 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, 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. Both moderate- and high-intensity fires can be very common in parts of Borneo. Moderate intensity fires can occur in parts of Thailand. 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 is likely 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, Governor of South Sumatra 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 Kalimantan on 9 September 2006 to join the rapid assessment.

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.