A few areas in the Sultanate are experiencing localised hazy conditions due to bush and forest fires affecting air quality.
These fires are scattered across national residential housing in Tanah Jambu, Meragang, Panchor, Mengkubau, Mentiri, Rimba, Lugu, Bukit Beruang, Seria and Panaga, and some in the Muara-Tutong Highway near Berakas Forest Reserve and Badas area, Seria Bypass and Rasau, according to a joint statement by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe), the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD).
BDMD forecast the amount of rainfall for March to be slightly below normal and expected the weather to be hot and dry, with occasional hazy conditions. It added that the daily maximum temperature hover between 33 degrees Celsius (°C) to 36 °C.
According to the FRD, 530 calls were reported related to forest and bush fires with 584 hectares affected between January to March 23 compared to the previous year of 47 calls during the same period.
The Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) readings recorded from all the air quality monitoring stations (Particulate Matter 10) in the four districts were relatively higher than normal. The air quality in Brunei was at good to moderate level.
As of 4pm yesterday, Brunei’s PSI had readings of 25 for Brunei-Muara District, 52 for Tutong District, 69 for Belait District and 25 for Temburong District. PSI reading below 50 is good while between 50 and 100 is moderate.
The MoH cautioned the public that at moderate PSI readings, minor health effects such as coughs, eye irritations and runny nose may be common.
Individuals with asthma, lung and heart diseases, pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with dust allergies are advised to reduce outdoor physical activities while those experiencing respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, coughs and difficulty breathing to seek medical treatment.
The public will be kept informed of the air quality situation through Radio Television Brunei radio stations, the website and Instagram of JASTRe.
The FRD is also closely monitoring the fire situation and increasing the number of patrols to areas prone to forest and bush fires (hotspot) with the use of drones and firebikes.
The public is advised to report immediately any incidences of bush and forest fires to the FRD at its hotline 995.
The department also informed the public to refrain from conducting open burning and other actions that can worsen the haze conditions during the dry period.
Complaints on open burning activities or for any health information and advice can be relayed to Darussalam line 123.
Meanwhile, JASTRe may also be contacted on 2241262 (extension 4405) during office hours.
Information on PSI readings is available at www.env.gov.bn and Instragram @jastre.bn and health information and advice on www.moh.gov.bn.
The latest weather information can be obtained by calling the Weather Line 114, or through the Brunei WX application or the BDMD website.
