14 DAY TRIAL // This past Friday, air pollution in Singapore hit the highest level on record. High officials put the blame on wildfires presently raging in neighboring Sumatra.
Measurements say that, on June 21, the index for air pollution in Singapore was one of 401. On Wednesday, it was one of 321, and on Tuesday, it was one of 371.
The areas burning in Sumatra are forests, oil and timber plantations, and peatlands, sources report. Some of the fires were triggered by people who merely wanted to clear the land for crops.
People in Singapore are asking that planes and helicopters be sent to control these wildfires.
Meanwhile, they are flocking to pharmacies looking to buy face masks that could help shield their lungs from some of the smog.
Apparently, such wildfires occur every year during the dry season. However, this year's haze is the worst that Singapore has ever suffered.
Malaysia has also been affected by the smog, and is asking that measures to control the fires and curbing the air pollution they cause be implemented as soon as possible.