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

Many hotspots with smoke haze were detected in southern Sumatra. Smoke haze was also detected in Kalimantan.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 27 September yesterday, there was no fire reported. The air quality was within moderate range with PSI between 51 and 63. The weather is expected to be dry today and slight to moderate haze is expected to persist during the period but one or two brief showers may break out from South-westerly to North-easterly.

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

Hotspots increased significantly in Sumatra. There were hotspots in South Sumatra and Jambi. Smoke haze was detected in Kalimantan and South 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 central part of Papua. PSI reading in Dumai district was within moderate level (56). Visibility in Palembang, South Sumatra has deteriorated to 2km. 



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

In Malaysia, on 27 September 2006, NOAA 18 detected 12 hotspots in Sarawak and 1 hotspot in Sabah. The fire weather index in Sabah remains low but moderate and high in Sarawak. As of 11.00 am today (28 September 2006), 20 stations recorded good air quality level and 29 stations recorded moderate level. The air quality status in Sarikei and Sri Aman, Sarawak remains slightly unhealthy with the API readings of 115 and 105, respectively. At 11.00 am the visibility reading in Sabah and Sarawak remains generally unchanged. Visibility in Sabah is between 5km and9 km, but in Sarawak it is low, between 1km and6 km. Rainfall is likely in the next 2 days.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within moderate range (52). Visibility in Singapore Changi Airport was between 8km and 10km. While, in Seletar Airport the visibility was between 2.5km and 10km. Showers are likely in the next 2 days.

Based on FDRS reading, all fine fuels will easily ignite, potentially resulting in many fires in most parts of 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 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 most 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 Central Kalimantan has initiated water bomb operation to suppress peatland fires in Bukit Rawi and Tumbang Nusa villages. The Police Department of South Kalimantan has arrested suspects whose companies conducted land clearing by open burning. 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