Sumatra & Borneo Forest Fires Intensify - Low Rainfall On Tap Through 2006

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Forest fires on Sumatra and Borneo are sending a toxic haze across the skies of Southeast Asia, raising air pollution levels on the two islands and in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Malaysia's Meteorological Services Department on Tuesday said a smoky haze was blanketing skies in the central Selangor state and the eastern state of Sarawak on Malaysia's part of Borneo island, causing air pollutant indexes at five stations to record unhealthy air quality levels.

The indexes, which measure harmful particles in the air, recorded moderate air quality levels in 38 other areas. In Singapore, the pollutant standards index (PSI) dropped from "healthy" to "moderate" with a reading of 52. A reading of more than 100 is considered dangerous to the health, while 50 or below is good.

The haze from the fires also has affected Brunei, which experienced higher than normal air pollution levels Monday and reduced visibility levels of 5,000 meters. Malaysia's Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan warned the haze in the state was expected to worsen.

He said the Meteorological Services Department had forecast "less than normal" rainfall in Borneo until the end of the year, which would give rise to more brushfires and more haze.

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