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Parts of southern Southeast Asia have been put under the highest-level haze alert as wildfires that have swept Indonesia for months continue to belch toxic smoke across the region. The seasonal wildfires are worse this year due to the drought conditions caused by a severe "super-El Nino" effect.
Issued on: 18/10/2026
By: FRANCE 24
A firefighter with the Manggala Agni, Indonesia's national fire control bridgade, pulls a hose while extinguishing wildfires near a residential area in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Indonesia, September 25, 2026. © Abriansyah Liberto, Reuters
Fires in Indonesia that have sent toxic smoke sweeping across Southeast Asia have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc's meteorological monitor.
The months-long pollution spell has closed schools, fuelled a surge in respiratory conditions and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor.
The haze is made up of fumes the forest and peatland fires that have ravaged parts of Indonesia, most notably on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
These areas are covered in dense forests and vast stretches of peatland that are especially prone to fire during the dry season, which usually runs from April to October.
The region is also currently under the influence of severe "super-El Nino" weather conditions, which brought additional heat and dryness and caused wildfires to spread more quickly.
While the extent of the damage remains unknown, environmental group Auriga reported that more than 637,000 hectares were burned from January to August this year, nine times the area of Singapore.
Deforestation monitor Nusantara Atlas put the figure even higher at nearly 900,000 hectares.
'High risk'
"This thing needs to stop," Zul Hafiz, a 39-year-old teacher cycling from the Malaysian city of Shah Alam to the capital, told AFP on Saturday, calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take action.
The 11-country organisation's ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said in a notice on its website on Friday that it had activated "Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region" – the highest rung of a four-tiered alert system.
The alert level is triggered when there is a "high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region" and is reserved for widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, observed over two or more consecutive days.
Fires in Indonesia that have sent toxic smoke sweeping across Southeast Asia have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc's meteorological monitor.
The months-long pollution spell has closed schools, fuelled a surge in respiratory conditions and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor.
The haze is made up of fumes the forest and peatland fires that have ravaged parts of Indonesia, most notably on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
These areas are covered in dense forests and vast stretches of peatland that are especially prone to fire during the dry season, which usually runs from April to October.
The region is also currently under the influence of severe "super-El Nino" weather conditions, which brought additional heat and dryness and caused wildfires to spread more quickly.
While the extent of the damage remains unknown, environmental group Auriga reported that more than 637,000 hectares were burned from January to August this year, nine times the area of Singapore.
Deforestation monitor Nusantara Atlas put the figure even higher at nearly 900,000 hectares.
'High risk'
"This thing needs to stop," Zul Hafiz, a 39-year-old teacher cycling from the Malaysian city of Shah Alam to the capital, told AFP on Saturday, calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take action.
The 11-country organisation's ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said in a notice on its website on Friday that it had activated "Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region" – the highest rung of a four-tiered alert system.
The alert level is triggered when there is a "high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region" and is reserved for widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, observed over two or more consecutive days.
People stand on a promenade as haze from wildfires shrouds the area, on the bank of the Kahayan River in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia, October 15, 2026. © Usep Hariadi, Reuters
The ASMC has already issued two Level 3 alerts this year, according to its website.
Singapore ranked second on IQAir's live ranking of the world's most polluted major cities behind Baghdad on Saturday, with Kuala Lumpur third. All readings showed "very hazardous" levels."
'Irresponsible behaviour'
Indonesia said Saturday it had been using dry ice at one of South Sumatra province's main airports in an attempt to disperse the haze.
The country's national disaster mitigation agency said that 2.4 tonnes of dry ice were dispersed by plane.
"The smoke not only reduces visibility and disrupts aircraft operations, but also affects residents' health," the agency warned.
The haze has disrupted life across Southeast Asia, sparking fresh calls for action from those affected.
"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.
"This is affecting our weekend routine – not just for us but many Malaysians," he said.
The ASMC has already issued two Level 3 alerts this year, according to its website.
Singapore ranked second on IQAir's live ranking of the world's most polluted major cities behind Baghdad on Saturday, with Kuala Lumpur third. All readings showed "very hazardous" levels."
'Irresponsible behaviour'
Indonesia said Saturday it had been using dry ice at one of South Sumatra province's main airports in an attempt to disperse the haze.
The country's national disaster mitigation agency said that 2.4 tonnes of dry ice were dispersed by plane.
"The smoke not only reduces visibility and disrupts aircraft operations, but also affects residents' health," the agency warned.
The haze has disrupted life across Southeast Asia, sparking fresh calls for action from those affected.
"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.
"This is affecting our weekend routine – not just for us but many Malaysians," he said.
Kuala Lumpur's skyline is shrouded in haze caused by wildfires in neighbouring Indonesia, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 16, 2026. © Hasnoor Hussain, Reuters
In Indonesia's Palangkaraya – part of the epicentre of the fires where thick haze turned the skies into apocalyptic shades of yellow and orange – residents said they were suffering from its effects on Saturday.
"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.
"Right now the economy is already very difficult, and the haze just makes it worse," he told AFP, adding that this year's situation was worse than even previous major bouts of haze in 2015.
"Hopefully it rains soon, the fires go out, and the smoke disappears so that activities can return to normal and it's easier to earn a living again," he said.
'What else to do?'
Joko, 51, a construction worker, said he had no choice but to keep on working or he would lose out on income.
"The thick smoke, when inhaled, makes it hard to breathe and stings the eyes, but what else can you do? This is how we earn a living," Joko said, explaining he had no fixed income and relied on daily wage jobs.
In East Timor, unhealthy air pollution persisted on Saturday, including in the capital Dili, according to IQAir.
Authorities warned that the situation may worsen on Saturday and schools were closed.
Singapore said Friday it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia it identified as responsible for the fires.
Philippines foreign department spokesman for ASEAN issues, Dominic Xavier Imperial, said Friday that the haze would be discussed at upcoming meetings ahead of a November ASEAN summit in Manila.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
In Indonesia's Palangkaraya – part of the epicentre of the fires where thick haze turned the skies into apocalyptic shades of yellow and orange – residents said they were suffering from its effects on Saturday.
"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.
"Right now the economy is already very difficult, and the haze just makes it worse," he told AFP, adding that this year's situation was worse than even previous major bouts of haze in 2015.
"Hopefully it rains soon, the fires go out, and the smoke disappears so that activities can return to normal and it's easier to earn a living again," he said.
'What else to do?'
Joko, 51, a construction worker, said he had no choice but to keep on working or he would lose out on income.
"The thick smoke, when inhaled, makes it hard to breathe and stings the eyes, but what else can you do? This is how we earn a living," Joko said, explaining he had no fixed income and relied on daily wage jobs.
In East Timor, unhealthy air pollution persisted on Saturday, including in the capital Dili, according to IQAir.
Authorities warned that the situation may worsen on Saturday and schools were closed.
Singapore said Friday it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia it identified as responsible for the fires.
Philippines foreign department spokesman for ASEAN issues, Dominic Xavier Imperial, said Friday that the haze would be discussed at upcoming meetings ahead of a November ASEAN summit in Manila.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
Toxic haze from forest fires closes schools, airports in Indonesia, Malaysia
Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race.
Issued on: 18/09/2019 -
By: NEWS WIRES
Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race.
Issued on: 18/09/2019 -
By: NEWS WIRES
Adek Berry, AFP | Smouldering peatland is pictured in Kampar, Riau province, on September 17, 2019.
Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazing out of control on Sumatra and Borneo islands, with Jakarta deploying thousands of security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them.
Indonesian blazes belch smog across Southeast Asia annually, but this year's are the worst since 2015 and have added to concerns about wildfire outbreaks worldwide exacerbating global warming.
On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to "very unhealthy" levels on an official index in many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline shrouded by dense smog.
Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across Malaysia due to the air pollution, with over one million pupils affected, according to the education ministry.
A growing number of Malaysians were suffering health problems due to the haze, with authorities saying there had been a sharp increase in outpatients at government hospitals many suffering dry and itchy eyes.
Indonesian authorities said hundreds of schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra were shut, without providing a precise number, while about 1,300 were closed in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo.
Borneo is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Poor visibility closed seven airports in the Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport ministry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have already been diverted and cancelled in the region in recent days due to the smog.
Singapore smog race?
Air quality in Singapore worsened to unhealthy levels and a white smog obscured the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three towers and boat-shaped top level.
The worsening pollution increased fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Organisers say the possibility of haze is one of the issues in their contingency plan for Sunday's showpiece night race, but have not given further details.
The city-state's tourism board said spectators would be able to buy masks as protection from the haze if conditions did not improve and assistance would be provided for those who feel unwell, the Today news portal reported.
The fires have sparked tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Indonesia's environment minister initially suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires despite satellite data showing hundreds of blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in its neighbour, prompting anger from her Malaysian counterpart.
Indonesia later sealed off dozens of plantations where it said fires were blazing, including some owned by Malaysia-based firms, deepening the row.
But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation forcing its companies to tackle fires on plantations abroad.
Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he said, adding: "Of course, if we find they are unwilling to take action, we may have to pass a law to make them responsible."
The Indonesian government has insisted it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this year's fires have been worsened by dry weather and experts believe there is little chance of them being extinguished until the onset of the rainy season in October.
Indonesia's meteorology, climate and geophysics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 hotspots areas of intense heat detected by satellite that indicate a likely fire had been sighted, most of them on Sumatra.
(AFP)
Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazing out of control on Sumatra and Borneo islands, with Jakarta deploying thousands of security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them.
Indonesian blazes belch smog across Southeast Asia annually, but this year's are the worst since 2015 and have added to concerns about wildfire outbreaks worldwide exacerbating global warming.
On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to "very unhealthy" levels on an official index in many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline shrouded by dense smog.
Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across Malaysia due to the air pollution, with over one million pupils affected, according to the education ministry.
A growing number of Malaysians were suffering health problems due to the haze, with authorities saying there had been a sharp increase in outpatients at government hospitals many suffering dry and itchy eyes.
Indonesian authorities said hundreds of schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra were shut, without providing a precise number, while about 1,300 were closed in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo.
Borneo is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Poor visibility closed seven airports in the Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport ministry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have already been diverted and cancelled in the region in recent days due to the smog.
Singapore smog race?
Air quality in Singapore worsened to unhealthy levels and a white smog obscured the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three towers and boat-shaped top level.
The worsening pollution increased fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Organisers say the possibility of haze is one of the issues in their contingency plan for Sunday's showpiece night race, but have not given further details.
The city-state's tourism board said spectators would be able to buy masks as protection from the haze if conditions did not improve and assistance would be provided for those who feel unwell, the Today news portal reported.
The fires have sparked tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Indonesia's environment minister initially suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires despite satellite data showing hundreds of blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in its neighbour, prompting anger from her Malaysian counterpart.
Indonesia later sealed off dozens of plantations where it said fires were blazing, including some owned by Malaysia-based firms, deepening the row.
But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation forcing its companies to tackle fires on plantations abroad.
Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he said, adding: "Of course, if we find they are unwilling to take action, we may have to pass a law to make them responsible."
The Indonesian government has insisted it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this year's fires have been worsened by dry weather and experts believe there is little chance of them being extinguished until the onset of the rainy season in October.
Indonesia's meteorology, climate and geophysics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 hotspots areas of intense heat detected by satellite that indicate a likely fire had been sighted, most of them on Sumatra.
(AFP)
Cover image: Volunteers battle a blaze in Indonesia's Kalimantan province.
© Reuters
Issued on: 20/10/2026 -
05:24 min
Issued on: 20/10/2026 -
05:24 min
Fires in Indonesia have burned through more than 1.9 million hectares of land, according to new data, as the country battles its worst wildfire season in a decade. The blazes have sent toxic smoke across much of Southeast Asia, forcing schools to close and fuelling a rise in respiratory illnesses.
FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more.
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