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.