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 with severe smoke haze were detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan . Isolated hotspots were also detected in Viet Nam.

On 17 August, NOAA 12 detected 9 hotspots in the State of Sarawak and 25 hotspots in the State of Sabah , while NOAA 18 detected 4 hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia (Pahang) and 35 hotspots in the State of Sarawak. At 11.00 a.m. today, 18 August, most of the station in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah recorded good to moderate level air quality. In Sarawak , the air quality in most of the stations was improved except in 3 stations i.e. Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman, which recorded unhealthy status (107 to 117). At 12 noon, the visibility in most of the west coast states of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah was more than 10 km. Generally, the visibility in Sarawak was less than 10 km (ranging from 3 to 8 km). For more latest information on visibility reading please visit www.kjc.gov.my

No fires were detected in Singapore. PSI reading was within good level (42). The visibility in both Changi and Selatar Airports was 10 km. Showers are expected in the next three days.

Based on FDRS reading, all fine fuels will easily ignite, potentially resulting in many fires in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. In mixed fuels, severe drought conditions and high-intensify fires can occur in southern part of Sumatra, and Borneo. 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 Borneo.


Resources Mobilised and Actions Taken

The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) continues to provide information on weather situation and fire danger information.

All DoE State Offices of Malaysia 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 the south-westerly monsoon, a meeting of the Working Group on Haze Action was held in early July to prepare for the necessary local actions as well as to respond to the Level 2 Alert issued by the Interim ACC. DoE of Malaysia continues to disseminate daily information on current situation related to air quality to the public through mass media. The public in Malaysia can submit their open burning complaints to Department of Environment (DoE) through toll free – JASLINE (1-800-88-2727).

In Singapore, following the Interim ACC activation of the Level 3 alert on 7 August, a NEA officer representing Singapore had participated in the Panel of ASEAN Experts to assess the ground fire situation at Riau , Indonesia. The assessment was conducted on 9 – 11 August 2006.