Malaysia: Haze API readings in Taiping and Ipoh unhealthy

The Star 24 Jul 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: Two areas in Perak – Kampung Air Putih, Taiping, and SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh, – registered unhealthy air quality.

As of 1pm yesterday, the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading for Kampung Air Putih was recorded at 131 and SK Jalan Pegoh was recorded at 101.

This was an improvement from morning when three areas were found to have unhealthy air quality.

According to the Department of Environment, 33 areas recorded moderate API, including Pasir Gudang (62), Alor Setar (53), Sungai Petani (76), Nilai (58), Jerantut (57), Seri Manjung (88), Perai (69) and Bintulu (60).

An API reading of between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; between 51 and 100 (moderate), between 101 and 200 (unhealthy), between 201 and 300 (very unhealthy) and over 301 (hazardous).

The public can refer to the department’s portal at www.doe.gov.my to find out about the API reading for their areas. — Bernama

Good API readings recorded nationwide
EUNICE HO New Straits Times 24 Jul 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: All regions in the country recorded good and moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) reading as of 10am except for Seberang Jaya 2 in Perai.

According to the Department of Environment web site, the reading at 9am for Seberang Jaya 2 increased to 101 from its 7am reading of 98.

Seri Manjung continued to record moderate API of 76 at 10am, a slight increase from its 9am reading of 74.

Ipoh and Taiping recorded moderate API of 71 and 92 respectively as at 10am.

Firefighters battle blaze around Bukit Gasing jungle
NICHOLAS CHENG The Star 24 Jul 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: Firefighters battled blazes in and around the Bukit Gasing jungle in a tiring five-hour operation.

City Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Azizan Ismail said the fire, believed to have been caused by dry weather, engulfed about a 3000sqm area of jungle near the Lembah Pantai Community Centre, Jalan Pantai Permai and Taman Bukit Angkasa.

Around 14 Fire and Rescue Department personnel and four firetrucks were dispatched at 10.19am Wednesday.

“The fire began at the foot of the hill and slowly razed everything uphill. Officers were forced to use ropes to haul the hoses and other equipment up to put out the fires.

“With their bravery and dedication, we successfully put out the fires at 3.30pm. An aerial check on the area confirmed that the fire had been extinguished,” he said.

The Department of Environment (DOE) said 4,385 open burning cases were recorded involving forests, agricultural areas, industry, construction, landfills and bushland last week, as the dry season is expected to continue until August.

The number of hotspots detected via images by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-18 satellite rose to 50 last weekend.

Taiping and Tanjung Malim recorded unhealthy Air Polutant Index (API) readings yesterday, while 33 areas around the country recorded moderate levels of air quality.