gg2
Indonesia haze worsens amid El Niño
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Indonesia's Kalimantan fires burned 94,000 hectares in July, sending haze to Malaysia and Singapore.
The crisis threatens regional health and economy, with El Niño expected to worsen conditions.
Background
Indonesia experiences annual forest and peatland fires, often linked to slash-and-burn clearing for palm oil plantations. This year, a 'super' El Niño has intensified the dry season, leading to more severe fires and trans-boundary haze affecting neighboring countries.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2026Nearly 94,000 hectares burned in July alone, with about 5,000 weekly ER visits for respiratory issues in West Kalimantan.
- Aug 19, 2026Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced cloud seeding operations on standby to quell fires.
- Aug 20, 2026Kuala Lumpur ranked most polluted city on earth; almost 600 schools in Sarawak closed; Singapore on alert.
- Aug 22, 2026President Prabowo decided to visit Kalimantan to monitor firefighting efforts.
- Aug 23, 2026Indonesian police arrested 72 people suspected of starting fires; Prabowo ordered revoking permits of corporations suspected of land clearing.
- recentlyHaze continues to spread, with experts warning the worst may come as dry season persists into October.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Authorities are deploying resources and arresting suspects, but acknowledge the challenge, with all 767 forestry staff in Borneo fighting fires.
- Expert
- Experts like Justin Sentian warn that prevention must address peatland degradation, not just react to hotspots.
- Public
- Residents like Suwadi express fear and frustration, saying breathing feels 'like smoking a cigarette' and questioning government action.
Still unverified
The exact number of hectares burned varies by source (94,000 vs 107,000 vs 235,000 acres) due to different reporting periods and methods.