Environment & Climate
Wildfire haze spreads across Southeast Asia amid intensifying El Niño
Smog from Indonesian peat and forest fires triggers widespread respiratory issues and affects air quality across neighboring countries.
The short version
- Persistent wildfires in Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo have spread smoke into Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, pushing pollution in some areas to more than 15 times the recommended limit set by the World Health Organization.
- Indonesia's Health Ministry documented more than 50,000 respiratory infections related to the fires between July and August, with over 12,000 cases involving children under five.
- Researchers and officials warn the crisis could intensify during September, which marks the peak of current El Niño conditions.
Key facts
- Wildfires burning across Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo since mid-July have generated haze reaching Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.[BBC News]
- Air pollution in affected areas exceeded World Health Organization guidelines by more than 15 times.[BBC News]
- Indonesia's Health Ministry reported over 50,000 cases of fire-related respiratory infections during July and August, including more than 12,000 in children under five.[BBC News]
- Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni identified September as the peak period for El Niño and a critical phase for containment efforts.[BBC News]
- Forest fire forensics expert Bambang Hero Saharjo cited research indicating this season's burned area could reach up to 11 million hectares under current El Niño conditions.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
- The total land area that will burn remains unconfirmed, with research estimates projecting up to 11 million hectares depending on how El Niño conditions develop.[BBC News]