Indonesian smoke hits neighbors

Indonesian smoke hits neighbors

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Smoke billowing from forest fires in Indonesia has reached Singapore, and the government warned yesterday the elderly and those with heart or respiratory ailments to reduce their activity outdoors.

Singapore had largely escaped the smoke haze that hit Malaysia and Indonesia over the past few weeks. The smoke came from fires in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan that will be hard to put out because of drought.

But the Environment Ministry said yesterday Singapore's air quality has worsened over the past few days because of blowing smoke.

It said people need not worry unless the level rose above 100. In 1994, Indonesian forest fires shrouded the island in a cloud of fine particles. Schools held physical education lessons indoors and people were also advised to stay indoors.