Haze hits Singapore

Singapore, just below the Malaysian peninsula, is also affected by the haze. Smog levels in Singapore from Indonesian forest fires hit the highest level on record Wednesday as the air pollutant index approached the "hazardous" level.

The index soared to 290 at 9pm local time, according the the website of the National Environment Agency (NEA), well past the 200-mark considered "very unhealthy" and near the "hazardous" level of 301.

Before Wednesday, Singapore's most severe haze reading was in September 1997 when the number peaked at 226.

Anything above 200 is considered "very unhealthy", particularly to the elderly, young children and people with heart and lung disease.
More: The Star..Singapore smog reaches record high