In Pontianak, the provincial capital of the island's West Kalimantan province hardest hit by the annual dry season smoke haze phenomenon, visibility remained low, but an earlier suspension of aircraft flights had been lifted.

"Up until eight this morning, visibility remained at 800 meters although it is now improving as the sun heats up," said Maroni of the meteorology office in Pontianak.

Officials blame fires set by large forest and plantation concession-holders, as well as by small farmers, to clear land for cultivation. The practice is illegal but difficult to outlaw.

Other main cities in the Indonesian part of Borneo island also reported haze problems. In the South Kalimantan provincial capital Banjarmasin, the problem was fluctuating over 24-hour periods, sometimes making it hard to breathe.

"It has been like this for about one week, but while in the beginning the smoke haze began to come down over the city around five in the morning, in the past two days it is already on us around nine in the evening," said local meteorologist Bambang.

Similar conditions were reported in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province.

Sumatra and Borneo islands -- which border Singapore and Malaysia -- are the areas usually hardest hit by the choking haze, an annual dry-season hazard in parts of Indonesia.

Indonesian Environment Minister Nabiel Makarim said last week the haze was partially caused by illegal logging and urged Malaysia to help Jakarta stem the smuggling of stolen timber into the country.

In 1997 and to a lesser extent in 1998, haze from forest fires in Indonesia enveloped parts of Southeast Asia for months, causing serious health problems and traffic hazards.

TERRA.WIRE