Category Archives: Alert 2

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the southern ASEAN region

Dry weather over the weekend has led to some deterioration of the haze situation in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The latest daytime satellite images show slight to moderate smoke haze from clusters of hotspots over peatlands in northern Riau being blown by the prevailing southwesterly winds toward the Strait of Malacca. In West Kalimantan, moderate to dense smoke haze from persistent hotspots has been observed, and the prevailing winds could blow the haze toward western Sarawak. In central Sarawak, smoke plumes could also be observed in the vicinity of hotspots.

Based on surveillance by the NOAA-19 satellite, 29 hotspots were detected on 11 August 2018 and 62 on 12 August 2018 in Sumatra. In Kalimantan, 2 hotspots were detected on 11 August 2018 and 3 on 12 August 2018 (the low hotspot count on both days was due to a partial satellite pass). There has also been a deterioration in the air quality in parts of Kalimantan and visibility in Pontianak has been reduced to 4 km due to haze conditions since this morning.

In the next several days, the prevailing dry weather and winds are expected to persist over Sumatra and Borneo. Notwithstanding the current relatively low hotspot count in Sumatra and Kalimantan, the expected dry weather and wind conditions could lead to the occurrence of transboundary smoke haze in some parts of the region.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the southern ASEAN region

Increased hotspot activities were observed in Kalimantan and Sumatra recently due to drier weather prevailing over the region last week. Isolated hotspots and localised smoke plumes were detected in Sarawak, West, Central and South Kalimantan in the past few days. In Sumatra, a cluster of hotspots was observed in northern Riau. The smoke plumes were being blown northward by the prevailing winds over the Strait of Malacca. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-19 satellite, 6 and 12 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, and 11 and 1 hotspots were detected in Sarawak and Kalimantan on 15 and 16 July 2018 respectively.

Dry weather conditions are expected to persist for most parts of the southern ASEAN region in the coming weeks, and this could lead to further escalation of hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the northern ASEAN region

With dry weather conditions prevailing in the northern ASEAN region, the satellite monitoring by NOAA-19 has detected an escalation of hotspot activities in the northern ASEAN region, in particularly in Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. A total of 398 and 449 hotspots were detected in the northern ASEAN region on 5 and 6 February 2018 respectively. In recent days, smoke plumes and haze from persistent hotspot clusters have been observed in parts of Cambodia and Thailand.

The prevailing dry weather conditions in the northern ASEAN region are forecast to continue till early April 2018, and further escalations of hotspot activities can be expected in the region in the coming weeks.

Activation of Alert Level 2 for the northern ASEAN region

With dry weather conditions prevailing in the northern ASEAN region, our satellite monitoring by NOAA-19 has detected an escalation of hotspots with 144 and 121 hotspots detected on 26 and 27 February 2017 respectively in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Smoke plumes and haze from persistent clusters of hotspots have been observed particularly in Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia over the past few days.

The prevailing dry weather conditions in the northern ASEAN region are forecast to persist into March 2017, and further escalations of hotspot activties can be expected in the region in the coming weeks.

Upgrade of Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 for Kalimantan

Drier weather conditions over the region in the recent days have led to an increase in the number of hotspots in western Kalimantan. Our latest monitoring from NOAA19 Satellite, 49 and 79 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan on 15 and 16 August 2016 respectively. Smoke plumes and haze were visible from some of the hotspots.

Over the next few days, dry weather conditions are forecast for the southern ASEAN region. Under the prevailing southeasterly to southwesterly wind conditions, transboundary smoke haze could affect parts of the region if hotspot activities in Kalimantan persist and escalate further.

Upgrade of Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 for the northern ASEAN region

With dry weather conditions prevailing in the northern ASEAN region, our satellite monitoring by NOAA18 has detected an escalation of hotspots with 212 and 1127 hotspots detected on 27 March 2016 and 28 March 2016 respectively in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao PDR. In Myanmar, 151 and 126 hotspots were detected on 27 Mar 2016 and 28 March 2016 respectively. In recent days, smoke plumes and haze from persistent clusters of hotspots have been observed in parts of Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar.

The prevailing dry weather conditions in the northern ASEAN region are forecast to continue till early April 2016, and further escalations of hotspot activities can be expected in the region in the coming weeks.

Downgrade of Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 for Sumatra and Kalimantan

Over the past days, increased shower activities have helped to alleviate the hotspot and smoke haze situation over Sumatra and Kalimantan. However, hotspot activities continue to be observed in parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. Based on surveillance by the NOAA-18 satellite, 50(0) and 106(0) hotspots were detected in Sumatra (Kalimantan) on 31 October and 1 November 2015 respectively.

Shower activities are forecast for parts of the region over the next few days. However, drier weather conditions are expected to continue over southern Sumatra and southern Kalimantan, and an increase in hotspot activities can be expected.

Upgrade of Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 for Sumatra and Kalimantan

Drier weather conditions over the region in the past few days have led to an escalation in the number of hotspots in Jambi and South Sumatra, as well as in West and Central Kalimantan. 42(116) and 242(146) hotspots were detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan on 18(17) August. Smoke plumes and moderate haze were visible from some of the hotspots.

Dry weather conditions are likely to persist in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Under the prevailing southeasterly or southwesterly wind conditions, transboundary smoke haze is likely to affect other parts of the region should the hotspot activities continue to persist.