Severe haze drifts across Southeast Asia as Indonesian wildfires blaze
Months of forest and peatland fires in Indonesia have generated hazardous haze that is affecting Singapore, Malaysia and neighboring regions.
Extensive wildfires across Indonesia's Borneo and Sumatra islands have created a thick haze that now blankets Singapore, Malaysia, East Timor and parts of Indonesia. The fires are fueled by dry peatlands and a severe super-El Niño, which has extended the typical dry season. Data from the EU Copernicus service show the region's emissions representing nearly 50% of worldwide output in the past seven days, with air-quality readings exceeding 1,000 in some Indonesian locales.
Health Ministry figures reveal respiratory illnesses more than doubling in seven provinces, while schools have closed and thousands of flights were disrupted. Jakarta has deployed over 60,000 responders, about 50 aircraft for water-bombing and cloud-seeding, and announced plans to increase forest rangers and restore peatlands. Police say hundreds of individuals and several companies could face action for starting the fires.
Why it matters
The haze threatens public health, disrupts travel and highlights regional climate and land-use challenges.
How this story developed
- Sep 27 Sumatra forest fires blamed for worsening haze over Johor and nearby regions
- Sep 28 A coalition of civil society and indigenous groups has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing the Indonesian government of failing to prevent massive forest and peatland fires in West Kalimantan.
- Oct 5 The Department of Environment reported that Malaysia contributed only about 3% of fire hotspots detected by satellite in southern Southeast Asia, with most occurring in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra.
- Oct 7 All five regions of Singapore recorded unhealthy air quality on Thursday, with the western area posting a 24-hour PSI of 161.
- Oct 10 Kuala Lumpur and Singapore now record AQI levels that place them among the world’s most polluted major cities.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 12 Malaysia's foreign minister said he will raise the transboundary haze problem at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers gathering, urging stronger regional measures.
- Oct 13 Updated satellite data reveal further growth in Sumatra's fire hotspots.
- Oct 13 Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim said evidentiary gaps hinder legal action against overseas firms.
- Oct 15 Singapore’s health ministry announced subsidies limiting out‑of‑pocket costs for haze‑related illnesses.
- Oct 15 PM2.5 peaked at 288, the highest in a decade, and mask shortages emerged.
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