Months-long Indonesia wildfires spew toxic haze across Southeast Asia

Transboundary haze is smoke pollution that travels from one country into others. It matters because the pollution can affect health, schools, travel, and outdoor life far beyond the original fires. The article describes Indonesian fires sending toxic smoke across southern Southeast Asia.

The smoke came from forest and peatland fires, especially on Borneo and Sumatra. Dry conditions helped the fires spread, while winds carried fumes across borders. The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre activated Alert Level 3, its highest alert, because widespread moderate to dense haze persisted for at least two days across the region.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor experienced the effects. Schools closed, respiratory problems increased, and outdoor activities were restricted. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur reached “very hazardous” pollution readings in IQAir’s ranking. The continuing fires show why pollution crossing borders requires regional monitoring and coordinated action.

The burned area was enormous, but estimates differed. Environmental group Auriga reported more than 637,000 hectares burned between January and August. Nusantara Atlas estimated nearly 900,000 hectares. Auriga said its figure equaled nine times Singapore’s area. The exact damage remained unknown.

The worst fires were reported on Indonesia’s islands of Borneo and Sumatra. These regions contain dense forests and large peatlands that are especially vulnerable during the dry season. Smoke from those fires spread across national borders and created hazardous air in neighboring countries.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor all faced disruption. Singapore ranked second and Kuala Lumpur third in IQAir’s live list of the world’s most polluted major cities on Saturday. East Timor’s capital, Dili, also had unhealthy air, while schools closed and officials warned conditions could worsen.

Hazardous haze affects ordinary routines as well as public health. The article reports a surge in respiratory conditions, stinging eyes, difficult breathing, and restrictions on outdoor activities. Schools closed in affected areas, including East Timor, where unhealthy air persisted in Dili.

Travel and work also suffered. Smoke reduced visibility and disrupted aircraft operations at an airport in South Sumatra. People avoided outdoor activities, while workers who depended on daily wages still had to work. A construction worker said inhaling the smoke made breathing difficult, but stopping work would mean losing income.

Local economies weakened as the haze continued. A mechanic in Palangkaraya said his income had fallen and that this year’s situation was worse than major haze episodes in 2015. The pollution also affected weekend routines in Malaysia. Continued fires could prolong health risks, transport problems, and lost earnings.

Indonesia’s forests and peatlands are vulnerable because the dry season usually lasts from April to October. During this period, vegetation and peat become much drier. The article identifies Borneo and Sumatra as major fire areas because they contain dense forests and vast stretches of peatland.

Dry conditions make fires spread more quickly across these landscapes. The article links this vulnerability to the seasonal wildfires and says additional heat and dryness from a severe super-El Niño worsened the situation. Burning forests and peatlands produced the fumes that formed the region’s toxic haze.

The danger extends beyond Indonesia. Once fires burn across large forest and peatland areas, smoke can affect neighboring countries for months. This year, the pollution closed schools, harmed health, restricted outdoor activities, and disrupted aircraft operations. The article gives no detailed account of fire ignition causes or peatland firefighting methods.

A severe super-El Niño made the fire season hotter and drier than usual. The article says these weather conditions brought additional heat and dryness, helping wildfires spread more quickly. That made the seasonal fires worse and increased the amount of smoke reaching neighboring countries.

The effect was especially serious in Borneo and Sumatra. Their dense forests and broad peatlands are already prone to burning during Indonesia’s April-to-October dry season. With less moisture and more heat, fires could expand across these landscapes more rapidly. The resulting fumes formed a thick haze over several countries.

The prolonged conditions made the crisis harder to control and maintain normal life. Smoke continued for months, schools closed, respiratory problems increased, and outdoor activities were restricted. The article reports that damage estimates reached 637,000 to nearly 900,000 hectares. It also records hopes that rain would extinguish the fires and clear the air.

The article presents responsibilities at several levels. Indonesia is the source of the fires and reported dispersing dry ice near an airport in South Sumatra. Its disaster agency warned that smoke reduced visibility, disrupted aircraft operations, and harmed residents’ health. Singapore said it would warn seven Indonesian companies it identified as responsible for fires.

Neighboring governments also had to protect people and keep services operating. Malaysia faced disrupted routines and public anger. East Timor closed schools as unhealthy air persisted. ASEAN’s specialised meteorological centre monitored conditions, issued the highest alert, and identified a high risk of severe transboundary haze.

The regional bloc also provides a forum for response. Philippine ASEAN spokesman Dominic Xavier Imperial said the haze would be discussed at meetings before the November summit in Manila. The article does not describe a single enforcement system. It shows instead that fire control, health protection, monitoring, company warnings, and regional talks all matter when pollution crosses borders.

Peatlands are landscapes built from partly decomposed plant material. When they become very dry, that organic material can ignite and keep smouldering below the surface. Such fires may be difficult to detect and extinguish, helping smoke continue for long periods. The article identifies peatland fires as a source of the months-long haze.

Indonesia’s peatlands are especially exposed during the April-to-October dry season. Severe super-El Niño conditions added heat and dryness, allowing fires to spread faster across peatland and forest areas. Their fumes then moved across borders, affecting Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor.

The article does not explain peatlands’ carbon-storage role. Established environmental knowledge shows that peatlands store carbon in their accumulated organic soils. When peat burns or is drained and exposed, some stored carbon is released into the atmosphere. This makes peat fires important not only for toxic smoke and health, but also for climate concerns.