Haze better this year

Haze better this year

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore should see slight to moderate haze
during the next two weeks as smoke sweeps in its direction, the
Straits Times said on Monday.

The haze, which enveloped Singapore in late July, was minor
compared with 1997 and 1998 pollution when fires in Sumatra and
Borneo caused widespread health and transport problems in
Southeast Asia.

The Straits Times said "Singapore was spared the worst of the
severe smoke haze which blanketed parts of Indonesia's Riau
province last week" thanks to favorable winds and rain.

Forest and scrub fires smoke reached hazardous levels in
Indonesia's Riau province, forcing authorities to close
kindergartens and advise people to wear masks outside.