The air quality in Sarawak has significantly improved and the number of hot spots, indicating fire, in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, has dropped dramatically since yesterday, said a spokesperson from the Department of Environment (DOE) today.

The air quality status in the state is 'good to moderate', she said, declining to be named.

Satellite images showed that at present there are only 78 hot spots in West Kalimantan as opposed to over 600 hot spots on Tuesday, according to her.

On the same day, 17 hot spots were detected in Sarawak but there was none today, she added.

Investigations revealed that the Sarawak hot spots were due to estate fires and burning of forests for shifting agricultural activities.

The spokesperson said the DOE has also ceased to provide the public with quantitative measurement of the air quality or Air Pollution Index (API) readings.

The API readings have been replaced by qualitative classifications to indicate air quality so as to give the public a better understanding of the situation, she explained.

"Now, air quality is indicated by the following classifications; good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous," she said.

On Aug 14, the department released a press statement saying that Sarawak would experience a 'slight haze'.

However, the situation worsened over the past week and Malaysian Airlines (MAS) was reported to have cancelled more than 70 flights within the state.

The flights resumed operation two days ago following the improvement in air quality, said Miri Airport manager Simon Wong.