The Meteorological Department expects the hot and dry spell in the region to prolong until October.

Therefore, members of the public are advised to avoid open burning so that the nation’s air quality can be maintained at a healthy level.

The Department of Environment (DOE), in a statement today, said several small fires in the country had caused the air quality to deteriorate, including that in the Selangor Science Park in Cyberjaya, Jalan Kebun and Johan Setia in Klang as well as near the Kesas Highway.

Poor air quality can also be attributed to smoke from fire on 42 hectares of peat soil in the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) area, Bestari Jaya.

The department stated that a prohibition on open burning was still imposed for Selangor, Federal Territory and Putrajaya as well as Tudan, Permai Jaya and Kuala Baram in Miri, Sarawak.

According to DOE, air quality at 51 air quality monitoring stations nationwide recorded healthy levels until 11am today.

A total of 22 areas registered good air quality, 29 areas were deemed moderate and no areas were said to be unhealthy.

However, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Seberang Jaya, Perai showed a reading of 100 until 11am today, which is almost at the unhealthy level.

The department clarified that the poor air quality in the west coast of peninsular Malaysia from yesterday until this morning was a result of cross-border haze.

The department has also mobilised and activated the National Haze Action Plan and the Open Burning Prevention Action Plan nationwide to monitor the status of air quality.

Meanwhile, members of the public are urged to report any cases of open burning to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999, or the DOE at 1-800-88-2727.

- Bernama