Action

Alert Levels and Trigger Points

ASEAN agreed on common alert levels, trigger points, and the corresponding actions to monitor and respond the fire and haze situation in the region. There are four alert levels: (i) Prevention and Preparedness; (ii) First Alert; (iii) Second Alert; and (iv) Third Alert. Each alert level will be activated based on the agreed respective trigger points, and corresponding actions are to be taken by ASEAN Member States.

TRIGGER POINTS ACTIONS BY ASEAN MEMBER STATE (AMS)
Prevention and Preparedness
Before dry season starts
  • Monitor Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) map for potential of fire occurrences and circulate FDRS maps to all relevant local stakeholders daily.
  • AMS to provide daily hotspot data from ASMC to local stakeholders and conduct close monitoring on hotspot data as an indicator of fire probability.
  • Conduct close monitoring on Air Pollutant Index (API) / Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) data.
  • Monitor weather conditions and hotspot counts in high-risk/fire-prone areas and issues alerts as appropriate.
  • Activate land and forest fires prevention programme nationwide.
  • Intensify law enforcement actions against open burning activities.
  • Establish close inter-agency cooperation including with private sectors and local communities to monitor activities around the land and forest areas through daily ground patrol and aerial surveillance.
  • Manage water levels in peatlands appropriately to prevent fire.
  • Strengthen coordination and capacity among agencies involved in peatland fire prevention and control, including establishment of peat fire prevention units in agencies responsible for forestry and agriculture activities.
  • Activate awareness/campaigns on open burning prevention and enhance local community participations and local stakeholders in land and forest fire prevention.
  • Intensify socialisation and awareness programmes on zero burning and controlled burning practices through mass media.
First Alert
  • Dry weather condition;
  • Sporadic occurrence of fires; and
  • Medium fire intensity as depicted in Fire Weather Index (FWI).
  • Continue actions in the prevention and preparedness level.
  • Carry out ground fire suppression as soon as possible to extinguish fire and prevent fire outbreak.
  • Fire suppression using water bombing may be considered for large forest fires.
  • Establish close inter-agency cooperation including private sectors and local communities to suppress land and forest fires.
  • Close monitoring of the burned areas to prevent recurrence and spreading of fires.
  • Weekly reporting of the current situation and actions taken by AMS through situation report.
Second Alert
  • Dry weather condition;
  • Extreme fire intensity as depicted in Fire Weather Index (FWI);
  • Significant increase of hotspots with visible smoke plumes;
  • Haze trajectory model showing transboundary movement of smoke haze;
  • Prevailing wind showing moderate to dense haze is likely to lead to transboundary movement of smoke haze;
  • Air quality reaches unhealthy level at the country of origin; and
  • Risks to human health and environment arising from land and forest fire incident.
  • Continue actions in the First Alert level.
  • Activate National Emergency Response involving mobilisation of national task force team, ground suppression and aerial operation including cloud seeding and water bombing.
  • Intensify inter-agency cooperation including private sectors and local communities to suppress land and forest fires.
  • Close monitoring on the burned areas to prevent recurrence and spreading of fires.
  • Daily reporting of the current situation and actions taken by AMS through situation report.
  • Include haze trajectory map in the daily situation report.
  • The Panel of ASEAN Experts on Fire and Haze Assessment and Coordination to be on standby.
Third Alert
  • Dry weather condition;
  • Extreme fire intensity as depicted in Fire Weather Index (FWI);
  • Significant increase of hotspots with visible smoke plumes;
  • Haze trajectory model showing transboundary movement of dense smoke haze;
  • Prevailing wind showing moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze affecting the region;
  • Air quality reaches unhealthy level in the region; and
  • Risks to human health and environment arising from land and forest fire incident.
  • Continue actions in the Second Alert level.
  • Extensive National Emergency Response involving mobilisation of national task force team.
  • Extensive ground fire suppression and aerial operation including cloud seeding and water bombing.
  • Intensify inter-agency cooperation including private sectors and local communities to suppress land and forest fires.
  • Close monitoring on the burned areas to prevent recurrence and spreading of fires.
  • Daily reporting of the current situation and actions taken by AMS through situation report.
  • Include haze trajectory map in the daily situation report.
  • Activate Section IV of the ASEAN Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Joint Emergency Response; the Panel of ASEAN Experts on Fire and Haze Assessment and Coordination to be mobilised.

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