Air pollution

Singapore chokes as smoke drifts from fires in Indonesia

Air pollution in Singapore rose to an “unhealthy” level on Friday as acrid smoke drifted over the city from fires on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, the city-state’s National Environment Agency said, in repeat of an annual crisis.

Every dry season, smoke from fires set to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia clouds the skies over much of the region, raising concern about public health and worrying tourist operators and airlines.

Singapore’s three-hour air pollution index was at 157 by late afternoon, after peaking at 215. Its environment agency doesn’t give a health warning with the limited duration index, but on a 24-hour basis it says levels above 100 are unhealthy and above 200 very unhealthy.

“The smell of smoke woke me up. I thought something was burning outside,” said Singaporean copywriter Lim Jia Ying, who put on a mask for her commute to work. “I’m having a cough and it’s getting worse. Luckily, I found a face mask at home,” she said.

The NEA said it planned a “daily haze advisory” as “a burning smell and slight haze were experienced over many areas” in Singapore.

Indonesia repeatedly vows to stop the fires but each year they return. This year, Indonesia has arrested 454 people in connection with the smoke pollution.

Six Indonesian provinces have declared states of emergency as forest fires blanketed a swath of Southeast Asia in a smoky haze.

When heavy, the choking smog closes airports and schools and prompts warnings to residents to stay indoors.

Pollution levels in neighboring Malaysia were normal on Friday.

Singapore has pushed Indonesia for information on companies suspected of causing pollution, some of which are listed on Singapore’s stock exchange.

According to satellite information, there were 138 fires across Indonesia on Friday, according to the environmental group Greenpeace Indonesia.