Full Breakdown
Indonesia’s Wildfire Haze Crisis Sweeps Southeast Asia
By Drooid · · How we work
The Transboundary Haze Event
Since early 2026, wildfires on Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra have produced a dense plume that now blankets parts of Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor, the Philippines and other neighboring states. The haze triggered the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre’s highest-level “Alert Level 3” for the Southern ASEAN region.
Drought-Driven Fire Conditions
The fires have been amplified by a severe “super-El Niño” episode and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, which together produced unusually high temperatures and reduced rainfall from June onward. Peatlands ignited easily and burned for months, creating thick, orange-tinged skies described by residents as “apocalyptic”.
Scale of the Blazes
- Satellite monitoring by Nusantara Atlas detected nearly 900,000 ha burned from January to August.
- The AFP monitor counted more than 1.9 million ha burned in the first nine months of 2026.
These figures differ markedly, reflecting challenges in satellite visibility due to heavy haze.
Health and Economic Toll
Indonesia’s Health Ministry recorded over 277,000 cases of chronic coughs and acute respiratory infections, including more than 62,000 infants and toddlers. Construction worker Joko noted that daily-wage earners must continue working despite the “hard to breathe” smoke.
Government and Regional Responses
- President Prabowo Subianto ordered a “massive deployment” of resources, including 47 aircraft and 60,000 personnel.
- The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre activated Alert Level 3 for the second time this year.
- Singapore’s NEA warned seven Indonesian firms to halt burning and submit action plans.
- Malaysia’s Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek closed schools for over 2 million students on October 9.
- Singapore expects its highest annual PM2.5 concentration on October 14, and Timor-Leste will suspend in-person classes starting October 15.
Criticism and Public Outcry
- In Palangkaraya, about 150 students protested, carrying a white-wrapped doll and demanding stronger government action. Protester Naomi labeled the response “a gross human rights violation.”
- Malaysian teacher Zul Hafiz urged ASEAN to intervene, stating “this thing needs to stop.”
- Indonesian governors in Kalimantan faced criticism for perceived inaction and inadequate emergency coordination.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Burned-area estimates range from 637,000 ha (Auriga) to over 1.9 million ha, with Nusantara Atlas figures varying between nearly 900,000 ha and 1,916,588 ha. Forestry Ministry spokesman Ristianto Pribadi said the data “cannot be readily confirmed.”
- Health-impact numbers are provided only by Indonesia’s Health Ministry; no comparable regional statistics are given.
- The exact number of companies responsible remains unclear beyond Singapore’s warning to seven firms and Indonesia’s identification of 93 firms linked to fire-affected concessions (WALHI).
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
- “The thick smoke, when inhaled, makes it hard to breathe and stings the eyes, but what else can you do?” — Joko
What’s Next
- ASEAN foreign ministers will raise the haze issue at the upcoming meeting in Manila ahead of the November summit.
- Indonesia plans to continue deploying aircraft and personnel while seeking further regional assistance.
- Singapore and Malaysia will maintain monitoring and enforcement actions against identified firms, with potential legal steps if compliance does not improve.