August 2005 haze episode was considered as more severe to the previous episode in 1997 as far as Peninsular Malaysia is concerned when the whole part of Klang Valley and its surrounding areas were badly affected by the smoke haze. It reached its peak when a Haze Emergency was declared on 11 August 2005 in two areas, namely Pelabuhan Klang and Kuala Selangor as the Air Pollution Index (API) in both areas exceeded 500. The Haze Emergency was then lifted on 13 August 2005 after the API readings in both areas dropped below the hazardous level (301) and visibility improved.