Kota Kinabalu: Three air quality monitoring stations in Sabah recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 5pm Friday, according to the Sabah Environment Department (DOE).
Tawau recorded an API of 153, followed by Politeknik at 151 and Sandakan at 120, while Kota Kinabalu (86), Kimanis (84) and Keningau (79) returned to moderate levels.
The DOE said Sabah’s air quality had been affected by transboundary haze originating from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, with smoke believed to have been carried by winds across Borneo into the State.
It said no major fires were detected or reported around Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Sandakan and Tawau during patrols on Friday, while satellite observations on Thursday (Sept 3) detected no hotspots in Sabah.
The DOE said 515 patrols under its open-burning prevention operation had been carried out so far and reminded the public against open burning as enforcement and air quality monitoring continue amid the hot and dry weather.
