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, smoke plumes and moderate smoke haze were detected in Sumatra . Hotspots and smoke plumes were also detected in Borneo and Sulawesi.

In Brunei Darussalam, on 22 August yesterday there were three (3) reports of short lived forest and bush fires affecting 0.25 hectares of land. The PSI reading was within good level (24-33). 

18 to 22 August, hotspots increased in Borneo region. There were hotspots scattered in South Sumatra, Jambi and Riau. Hotspots were also detected in Bangka Belitung, Lampung, East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and Bengkulu. There was smoke haze in Kalimantan . Fires mostly occur in abandoned ex plantation areas and peat lands. Visibility in Riau was 1,5km while in Jambi was 7km.

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good level (34). Visibility in both Singapore Changi Airport and Seletar Airport was 10km. There are chances of showers in the next two days.

In Thailand, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Phuket and Songkhla were within moderate level (65, 53, respectively).

Based on FDRS reading, all fine fuels will easily ignite, potentially resulting in many fires in parts of Viet Nam , Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and most parts of Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in southern part of Sumatra. Peat areas will produce widespread and severe haze from deep and long-burning fires in parts of Viet Nam . 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 southern part 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.

The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) continues to provide information on weather situation and fire danger information. MoE of Indonesia conducts investigation on companies in Riau province. Government of West Kalimantan Province is investigating 3 companies in Sambas District. MoE of Indonesia has already sent letters to the companies whose areas were within hotspots area in Riau province.

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 team of 4 officers from NEA made a fact finding trip to Pelalawan, Rokan Hilir and Bengkalis from 19 to 22 June 06 to review the ground situation in order to ascertain the technical requirements for the air and weather monitoring stations. This is arising from a request made by Indonesia for Singapore to assist in setting up air and weather monitoring stations in the 3 districts, at a bilateral forum in May 2006 in Bogor , Indonesia. Singapore convened a media briefing to update on the latest weather and haze situation in the region on 19 Jul 06. Following the Interim ACC activation of the Level 3 alert on 7 August 06, an NEA officer representing Singapore had participated in the Panel of ASEAN Experts to assess the ground fire situation at Riau , Indonesia.