BRUNEI DARUSSALAM COUNTRY REPORT
ON FIRE AND HAZE SITUATION

Seventh Joint Meeting of the Working Groups on
Sub-regional Fire-fighting Arrangement for Borneo and Sumatra
2 August 2001, Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei Darussalam had experienced slight hazy conditions since early July up to the third quarter of the month. The occurrence of the widespread haze in the country also corresponded to the detection of several fires in the region as detected by satellite imagery provided through the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC).

The slight haze had effected air quality in the country. However, ambient air quality in the country remained within the ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ range.

The hazy conditions that had been experienced also correspond to the dry weather condition that is currently being experienced in Brunei. The recorded daily rainfall level is well below the monthly average for July. The relative humidity has also been below the monthly average.

The dry spell experienced in Brunei at this time also saw a significant rise in the number of reported bush fires. To date, there have been more than 150 reported cases of such fires during the month of July. However, the majority of these fires have been small i.e. less that 1 hectare. The largest area that had been affected was approximately 20 hectares.

Due to the dry weather conditions, the Fire Services Department had been placed on alert and intensified their ground surveillance activities. The Fires Services Department has been able to respond to these fires to effectively control and extinguish them.

Due to conditions in Brunei were still under control, a total ban on open burning had not been declared, as had been instituted during the 1997-1998 haze. However, public advisories have been issued through the mass media asking people to refrain from conducting open burning.

In summary, Brunei Darussalam’s response to the latest slight haze incident had been to:

1) closely monitor occurrence of fires (locally and regionally), air-quality and weather parameters;

2) issuance of public advisory to refrain from open burning;

3) increase fire surveillance activities and fire alertness level by the Fire Services; and

4) increased communication with ASEAN counterparts for better understanding of the fire and haze situation in their countries.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM COUNTRY REPORT ON FIRE AND HAZE SITUATION

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM COUNTRY REPORT
ON FIRE AND HAZE SITUATION