Category Archives: Alert 1

Start of Dry Season for the Southern ASEAN Region

In recent days, drier weather was observed over the southern ASEAN region, particularly in the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, a total of 19 and 5 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, while 2 and 3 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, on 1 and 2 Aug 2020 respectively. There was no significant smoke haze observed in the vicinity of these hotspots.

The prevailing dry season is expected to continue into October 2020. For the next few months, above average rainfall is forecast in large parts of the region, which would help to reduce the risk of widespread land and forest fires. However, periods of dry weather can be expected occasionally, and this can lead to an increase in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas.

Start of dry season for the northern ASEAN region

In recent days, dry conditions have contributed to an increase in hotspot activities in the Mekong sub-region. Localised smoke plumes have also been observed emanating from some of these hotspots. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, there were 114 and 257 hotspots detected in the Mekong sub-region on 3 and 4 December 2019 respectively.

The prevailing Northeast Monsoon is expected to persist until March 2020, during which extended periods of dry weather may lead to further increase in hotspot activities in the Mekong sub-region.

Downgrade of Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1 for the southern ASEAN region

Increased shower activities over many areas of southern ASEAN region have contributed to a significant improvement in the hotspot and haze situation. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20 satellite, 33 and 5 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, and 10 and 9 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan on 2 and 3 October 2019 respectively. The hotspots were detected mostly in southern Sumatra and the southern and eastern parts of Kalimantan.

In the coming days, the prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are forecast to be light and variable in direction. More showers can be expected over the region. However, some areas including the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, can still experience brief periods of dry weather and hotspot activities may still persist in these areas. The risk of transboundary haze is currently assessed to be low due to rainy conditions elsewhere in the region, and prevailing winds that are generally light and variable in direction.

Start of dry season for the southern ASEAN region

In the past few days, drier weather conditions were observed over many parts of the region, particularly in the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Isolated hotspots, occasionally with localised smoke plumes, were detected in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Peninsular Malaysia. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-19 satellite, 2 and 6 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, and 3 and 0 hotspots were detected in Kalimatan on 30 June and 1 July 2019 respectively

The prevailing Southwest Monsoon is expected to persist until October 2019. Extended periods of dry weather can be expected occasionally, and this can lead to an increase in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas.

Start of Dry Season for the Northern ASEAN Region

With the onset of the dry season, isolated hotspots with localised smoke plumes have been detected in the Mekong sub-region in the past few days. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-19 satellite, there were 20 and 157 hotspots detected in Mekong sub-region on 5 and 6 December 2018 respectively.

The prevailing Northeast Monsoon is expected to persist until March 2019. Occasional extended periods of dry weather may lead to an increase in hotspot activities in the northern ASEAN region during this period.

Start of Dry Season for the southern ASEAN region

In the past week, dry conditions brought on by the Southwest Monsoon were observed over many parts of the southern ASEAN region. Isolated hotspots have been detected in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra in the last few days. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-19 satellite, 8 and 5 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, and 5 and 3 hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia, on 6 and 7 June 2018 respectively.

The prevailing Southwest Monsoon is expected to last till October 2018. Extended periods of drier weather can be expected occasionally, and this can lead to an increase in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas.