Haze in Singapore again hits ‘unhealthy’ levels

By Kirsten Han

SINGAPORE (AA) - Unhealthy levels of air pollution have again returned to Singapore as acrid smoke from forest fires in neighboring Indonesia once again billows across the Malacca Strait.

The National Environment Agency reported at 6 p.m. (1000GMT) that the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index was at 69-125, crossing into the unhealthy range.

Fires caused by palm oil and pulp and paper companies clearing land in South Sumatra and Kalimantan have caused large amounts of smoke from the peat swamplands towards Indonesia's neighbors.

It is a yearly occurrence that has caused unhappiness among the population.

This year, the fires have not yet hit the same crisis levels as in 2015.

The National Environment Agency reported Friday that it detected a total of 11,000 hotspots, compared to the 14,451 hotspots in August last year.

The Singapore government has said that it is ready to offer assistance to Indonesia in dealing with the fires.

"We are always standing ready. We've already offered the package; it is up to the Indonesians to activate it. When the level requires it, we will be there to help," local newspaper The Straits Times reported Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Environment and Water Resources as saying.