An order to prohibit open burning came into force yesterday amid the current hazy period caused by nearly a thousand hotspots in Kalimantan and localised open burning practices especially in late afternoon throughout the country.
This was highlighted by Awg Shahruddin Khairul bin Hj Anwar from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE) in a press briefing yesterday, which was chaired by the Director of National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Awg Yahya bin Hj Abd Rahman.
To control the jungle and bushfires, Junaidi bin Hj Gunong from the Fire and Rescue Department said they have given several orders to their commanders such as intensifying patrol, practising quick response and immediately set up a common force should the forest fires prolong.
He also said that the force has now changed the working system from three to two teams to provide maximum strength. Their personnel in Belait have now activated the system. The Fire and Rescue Department urged those who go for fishing and hunting to be extra careful when they light a fire and not to leave them unattended or throw cigarette butts.
Meanwhile, JASTRE, which also conducts ground surveillance, urged the public not to conduct open burning during the moderate and unhealthy air quality level and no approval would be given to conduct such activities at this stage.
As of Monday, there were 961 hotspots in Kalimantan. JASTRE also said that PSI readings recorded from all the air quality monitoring stations (PM10) in the four districts yesterday were relatively higher than normal.
At 6pm yesterday, the air quality for Brunei-Muara District, Tutong and Temburong was moderate with the PSI reading of 82, 96 and 73 respectively. In Belait, the air quality was unhealthy as the PSI reading exceeded 100.
Junaidi bin Hj Gunong said there has been an increase in the number of calls received relating to forest and bush fires. In the first three days of August, 60 calls have been received out of which 28 calls were recorded in the Brunei-Muara District, 15 in Tutong, 14 in Belait and three in Temburong. Despite the increase, the incidence of forest fires is still under control.
Meanwhile, Dr Hj Sidup bin Hj Sirabaha from the Meteorological Services, Department of Civil Aviation, said rainfall has been lesser and below normal with a reduction of 20 to 40 per cent or more from the average of long-term rainfall amount. The season will remain dry, but interspersed with rainfall.
The dry period, caused by the El Nino phenomenon at the Pacific Ocean, is expected to last till early 2010. It gives an impact to the reduction in the monsoon rain. The transboundary haze pollution from Kalimantan and some parts of Sarawak will affect Brunei so long as there are hotspots, prolonged drier period and southwesterly winds.
He added that the horizontal visibility recorded at the international airport ranged from 2.5km to 6km in the Brunei-Muara District, but was worse in the Belait District at less than one km.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Hussein from the Ministry of Health said a PSI reading below 50, which is good, does not pose any health problem, while a PSI reading between 51 and 100, which is moderate, can pose minor health problems like cough, flu and eye irritation.
A PSI reading between 101 and 200, which is unhealthy, can pose problems to health such as cough, flu and eye irritation. For those suffering from pneumonia and heart disease, the symptoms could increase.
The public has been advised to reduce outdoor activities, especially for the elderly and those suffering from pneumonia and heart ailments. Children should also be stopped from carrying out outdoor physical activities.
The Ministry of Health said that moderate and unhealthy PSI readings aggravate respiratory problems for high-risk people, especially those suffering from asthma, heart ailments, children and the elderly in general. The symptoms relating to haze include cough, flu, watery and itchy eyes, sore throat and difficulty in breathing.
The public has been advised to drink lots of water due to hot weather conditions and see doctors immediately should they develop problems or disease symptoms.
The public can contact JASTRE for any complaints on open burning through hotlines 8999900 / 8837751 / 8837741 and queries on the air quality by contacting 2383222 ext 514 during office hours. The public can also access and obtain the PSI readings online at www.env.gov.bn.
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