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Brunei Keeps Wary Eye On Hotpots As Ill Winds Blow
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei is keeping a watch as ill winds blow bringing possibly bad news.

As neighbouring Malaysia is enveloped in thick haze reaching unhealthy levels, Brunei is warily looking at the weather as winds from the south-west push smoke from forest fires in Kalimantan into the sultanate.

Though PSI readings have been well below 50, which signify the air quality as `good', the prevalent surface and low-level south-west winds over the country is bringing the haze into our country, according to the Meteorological Service of the Civil Aviation Department.

"The current occasional wet condition is not sufficient to overcome the problem of fires," it added.

Satellite Imagery information provided by Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has detected over 100 hotspots in Kalimantan and Sarawak.

The haze will continue to prevail unless the fires could be completely doused. The hotspots or sources closest to Brunei are

still small compared to those further off, but if these grow in size, then we might see more smoke being pushed towards Brunei if the south-west wind flow persists, the forecaster said.

The Brunei Meteorological Service said it will continue to monitor the current haze situation and will take appropriate action as and when the situation warrants.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation said though Brunei is experiencing slightly hazy conditions, the ambient air quality in the country has been `good'.

PSI readings since Friday have been below 50. And yesterday, the air quality was generally `good' with the highest recorded PSI at 44 at 2pm in Belait District.

The Fire Services Department reported only one fire incident last Saturday, which affected four hectares of land.

To prevent the hazy condition from worsening, the public has been reminded not to carry out open burning activities. The public has also been advised to report any bush and forest fires to the Fire Services Department.

Malaysians have been advised to wear masks outdoors to protect themselves from the thick haze blanketing several cities including Kuala Lumpur, wire reports said Monday.

"They are advised to wear masks, especially if they are prone to respiratory illnesses such as bronchial asthma, allergies and chronic lung disease," Health Department chief Ismail Merican was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times.

"We are well-prepared to handle the possible influx of cases. Medical teams have also been told to be on the lookout for other possible conditions that may come about because of the haze," lie said.

Air quality in Kuala Lumpur and five surrounding areas including the administrative centre Putrajaya have been declared unhealthy.

Hundreds of fires in Indonesia's Riau and northern Sumatra provinces are blamed for causing the haze, along with more than 100 in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Malaysia's Sarawak state. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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