Story perspectives

Indonesia peat fires burn 200,000 hectares, haze worsens health

9/7/2026

Summary

Indonesia Battles Peatland Fires

Indonesia is battling peatland fires that have ignited a regional haze crisis.
Since early July, the blazes have burned about 200,000 hectares of forest and farmland.
Super El Niño drought has intensified the fires, creating thousands of active hotspots nationwide.
Health Ministry recorded over 50,000 respiratory infections, 12,000 children under five, linked to haze.
Police arrested 112 people in ten provinces for allegedly starting fires, later detaining 72 more.

Summary

NEA Warns Haze

NEA began daily haze advisories with 24-hour PSI forecasts after the index crossed the unhealthy threshold on Sep 4.
NEA advises elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with heart or lung disease to limit outdoor activity.
Schools will perform visual health checks on students.
Forecast expects haze to persist into Sep 5 with PSI in mid-unhealthy range.
Dry conditions are projected to continue across Singapore, sustaining smoke drift from Sumatra and Kalimantan.

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Indonesia Battles Peatland Fires

Indonesia is battling peatland fires that have ignited a regional haze crisis.
Since early July, the blazes have burned about 200,000 hectares of forest and farmland.
Super El Niño drought has intensified the fires, creating thousands of active hotspots nationwide.
Health Ministry recorded over 50,000 respiratory infections, 12,000 children under five, linked to haze.
Police arrested 112 people in ten provinces for allegedly starting fires, later detaining 72 more.

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