Full Breakdown
Southeast Asian Haze Crisis: Indonesia’s 2026 Wildfires Spread Toxic Smoke Across the Region
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Core Event – Widespread Wildfires and Transboundary Haze
Since August, forest and peatland fires on Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra have generated a thick haze that blankets Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor and parts of the Philippines. The ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC) activated Alert Level 3 – the highest tier – prompting school closures, flight disruptions and a surge in respiratory illnesses.
Background & Context
The fires occur during the dry season (April – October) and have been intensified by a severe “super-El Niño” that brought extra heat and dryness. Peatlands burn underground for weeks, making the haze especially persistent. The last comparable episode was in 2015.
Data & Statistics
- Area burned: Auriga reported more than 637,000 ha burned from January to August; Nusantara Atlas put the figure at nearly 900,000 ha.
- Respiratory cases: Indonesia’s Health Ministry recorded 283,270 haze-related illnesses in seven provinces as of Oct 13, more than double the 113,336 reported on Sept 9.
- Air quality: Singapore’s NEA logged a 1-hour PM2.5 concentration of 284 µg/m³, placing it in the “very high” category.
- Hotspots: Reuters noted 799 satellite-detected hotspots on a Thursday, while Bloomberg cited over 7,500 hotspots for the month.
- Response resources: Indonesia has deployed over 60,000 personnel and 50–61 aircraft for water-bombing, cloud-seeding and dry-ice operations.
Official Statements & Responses
- The ASMC explained Level 3 is triggered when “moderate to dense smoke haze” persists for two consecutive days amid dry weather and wind-driven transport.
- Coordinating Minister Dudung Abdurachman said the dry-ice trial follows a presidential instruction to break down low-level smoke.
- Singapore’s Ministry of Education will close schools when the 24-hour PSI reaches “hazardous”; it also warned seven Indonesian companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
- Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged diplomatic engagement and stronger regional mechanisms.
Criticism & Opposition
Malaysian lawmakers called Indonesia’s inability to control the fires “irresponsible behaviour” and demanded an urgent ASEAN meeting.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents report severe health and economic impacts. In Palangkaraya, mechanic Marzuki says the haze has reduced income and worsened health. Construction worker Joko notes he must keep working despite “hard to breathe” smoke that stings his eyes. In Dili, midwife Costa Soares describes a yellow-tinged sky and loss of sun visibility, prompting school closures. Motorbike-taxi driver Heri reports eye irritation even while wearing a mask.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Hotspot counts differ: Reuters cites 799 on a specific Thursday; Bloomberg reports more than 7,500 for the month.
- Burned area estimates vary between 637,000 ha (Auriga) and nearly 900,000 ha (Nusantara Atlas).
- Official land-damage data have not been updated since July, when 202,000 ha were reported burned.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's a bit unfair on Malaysia because of the irresponsible behaviour of our neighbouring country," Khairul Azhar, a 33-year-old bank officer told AFP in Kuala Lumpur.” — Khairul Azhar
- “The haze has a big impact on us, especially on health and the economy, with our income decreasing," said Marzuki, a 38-year-old mechanic who like many in Indonesia, goes by only one name.” — Marzuki
What’s Next
ASEAN foreign ministers will discuss the haze at a meeting ahead of the November summit in Manila. Indonesia’s weather agency expects the rainy season to begin in November or December, which could help suppress the fires. Singapore will continue monitoring air quality and may issue additional company warnings under its haze law.