ASEAN monitor activates highest haze alert for southern region as Indonesian fires continue

Mixed · 2The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore activated Alert Level 3, its highest level, for the southern ASEAN region, as ongoing fires in Indonesia blanket parts of Southeast Asia with toxic haze. 1 2 Centre · 1The ASMC, based near Singapore's Changi Airport, uses a four-tier system from zero to three; the top level is triggered when there is a "high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region". 2 Right · 1The criteria include significant and persistent hotspot activity with widespread moderate to dense smoke haze observed over two or more consecutive days, continuing dry weather, and winds still blowing haze toward neighbouring ASEAN countries. 1

Mixed · 2The alert was issued on Friday; similar alerts were already issued twice this year, on August 26 and March 27. 1 2 Mixed · 2The months-long haze has disrupted life across large parts of Southeast Asia, closing schools and increasing respiratory complaints. 1 2 Right · 1On Friday Singapore said it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia that it identified as responsible for fires, and cautioned that the worst may be yet to come. 1

Centre · 1The AFP report carried by the South China Morning Post adds that Singapore has no plantations or forests of its own, but several companies with concessions in Indonesia are reportedly based in the city state. 2 Centre · 1In Indonesia, four people died fighting blazes in East Java's Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park on Thursday, authorities said, and two others suffered serious burns. 2 Centre · 1Indonesia's forestry department said on Friday that hotspots had risen significantly in six "priority provinces", where 615 hotspots were detected, and called firefighting a high-risk operation. 2