Friday March 15th, 2002

Practice for Sunday's Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix continued on Friday despite haze from nearby forest fires shrouding the Sepang racetrack.

A Reuters reporter saw at least 10 fire engines parked on the highway near Sepang, 40 km south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, while firefighters battled to douse burning trees and smoking ground.

Drought in parts of Southeast Asia sparked concerns in the region as rainfall dropped to about half the normal levels and open burning and peat fires have plagued the area over the past few weeks.

Scientists in Singapore said smoke from blazing Indonesian forests will keep clouding regional skies.

Published at 09:47:51 GMT