Forest fires on the nearby Indonesian island of Sumatra cast a pall over the skies of Malaysia and Singapore in late April, raising concerns that a repeat of the pollution crisis that plagued the area in 1997 and 1998 could occur. Pollution rose to its highest levels in months April 19, and satellite photos show that the fires were deliberately set to clear land. ASEAN ministers have called for a “zero-burning” policy for the area. Follow local press reports, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity if pollution levels remain high.
