Haze returns to region as Sumatra's illegal fires rage

Haze returns to region as Sumatra's illegal fires rage
Despite fire-fighting efforts, visibility just 2km in Riau; air over Malaysia worsens
Teo Cheng Wee , Salim Osman, Straits Times 4 Aug 08;

HAZE shrouded parts of the region yesterday after fires scorched forest and plantation land in Sumatra over the weekend, enveloping the Riau capital of Pekanbaru and parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

The authorities have squarely blamed Indonesian farmers and plantation workers, who are clearing the land using slash-and-burn methods that have been banned since 1999.

The number of hot spots in Sumatra surged from 351 to 531 on Saturday, before dipping to 360 yesterday, according to the Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG). This was confirmed by Singapore's National Environment Agency.

BMG analyst Selamat Triyadi told The Straits Times that Riau alone accounted for some 136 hot spots, while Pelalawan and Rokan Hulu had 23 and 22 hot spots respectively.
Haze returns to region as Sumatra's illegal fires rage
He said that the dramatic fall in the number of hot spots could have been partly the result of efforts by the authorities to put out the fires.

But environmentalist Zulfahmi of the Save The Riau Forest Movement cautioned that the drop could be temporary, as more hot spots could appear in the dry season.

Visibility was reduced to just 2km in the Riau capital yesterday. Mr Selamat said that visibility was worse in the early morning and late afternoon.

In Malaysia, the bad air has been exacerbated by a forest fire in Selangor which has been burning since Friday.

About 70 firemen have been fighting to put out the fire, which is burning in a 40ha area that forms part of the Kuala Langat Forest Reserve.

Although the blaze is located near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, an airport spokesman said that it had not affected operations yet.

Barely a week ago, 90 per cent of Malaysia had an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the 'good' range of 0 to 50. The other 10 per cent was in the 'moderate' 51-100 range.

By Saturday, 66 per cent of the country was in the moderate range, with Port Klang registering an 'unhealthy' API reading of 104.

Port Klang's reading fell to 93 yesterday but remains the highest in the country, while 64 per cent of Malaysia was in the moderate range. Kuala Lumpur's reading was 65.

Ms Rosnani Ibrahim, director-general of the environmental department, told AFP she was 'concerned' about the increasing number of hot spots during the annual dry season from June to September.

Singapore has been spared so far, thanks to favourable wind directions, as a result of which smoke has been blown away from its shores.

Its air quality was 30 on the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) yesterday, which is still in the healthy range.

But forecasted variable winds could just as easily bring back the haze.

Haze has been an annual problem for the region since 1997, when the PSI level in Singapore hit a record high of 226, which is considered very unhealthy.

The problem prompted countries affected by the haze, including Singapore, to set up a task force to combat the problem.chengwee@sph.com.sg

salim@sph.com.sg

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY TANIA TAN IN SINGAPORE