Deadly Smoke Blankets Southeast Asia as Indonesia Faces Its Worst Fire Crisis in Years
For months, thick smoke has covered parts of Indonesia and nearby countries. The sky has turned yellow and orange, and many people say the scene looks like another planet.
In Central Kalimantan, schoolteacher Natanael Undas has watched the smoke grow worse. His family keeps the windows closed, but the pollution still enters their home. His 2-year-old daughter has been sneezing often as breathing problems rise across areas affected by the haze.
Heat and Dry Weather Fuel the Flames
Forest fires happen in Indonesia each year. Farmers and large companies sometimes clear land by setting vegetation on fire. This method is known as slash-and-burn farming.
However, the fires have been much more severe this year. Extreme heat and long periods without rain have dried forests and peatlands, giving the flames more fuel. A powerful El Niño weather pattern has made the dry conditions even worse.
The fires are burning both above ground and deep below the surface in peat soil. These underground fires can continue for long periods and are difficult to put out. They also release large amounts of dangerous smoke.
Millions of people across Southeast Asia have been affected. Schools have closed in several countries, outdoor activities have been canceled, and people have been urged to stay indoors when the air becomes unhealthy.
Protests Grow Over the Government Response
Hundreds of Indonesian students and civil society members have taken part in protests in Jakarta and other cities. They are demanding stronger action from the government and objecting to the decision not to declare the fires a national disaster.
Protesters are calling for:
The government has said it is investigating businesses linked to the fires and sending aid to provinces facing the worst conditions. Police have identified 20 companies suspected of involvement, including four connected to neighboring countries in the region.
Neighboring Countries Demand Action
The pollution has also caused anger in Singapore, where air quality reached its worst level in years. The smoke has crossed national borders, leading to arguments between Indonesia and nearby governments over responsibility for the damage.
Singapore has warned that companies responsible for the fires could face prosecution. The two countries are also considering a joint task force to fight illegal land burning.
An environmental group in Indonesia identified dozens of companies with ties to Singapore and Malaysia that it said were connected to fire hot spots. Malaysia has rejected claims that its companies are involved. The government of Singapore has not responded to the allegations.
Indonesian officials have promised to use the law against businesses that profit from burning land. Still, the fires continue to disrupt daily life across the region.
Health Problems Spread With the Smoke
The haze contains fine particles that can enter deep into the lungs. These particles can worsen asthma and other breathing conditions.
More than 283,000 cases of respiratory illness connected to the fires have been reported in seven Indonesian provinces. That number is more than twice the total recorded earlier in the fire season.
A study focused on Singapore found that short-term increases in fine-particle pollution were linked to more emergency room visits for asthma and other long-term breathing problems. Similar increases were seen during earlier periods of smoke from Indonesian fires.
Adeline Tong, an engineer in Singapore, said the haze caused her asthma to return after many years without serious symptoms. She said she needs an inhaler after spending time outside without a protective N95 mask.
The smoke has also reduced visibility. Tong said nearby buildings have disappeared from view during the worst conditions. She has been able to work from home, but she avoids meeting friends at outdoor food centers and has stopped running outside to train for ballroom dancing.
Gyms have become more crowded because many people are avoiding outdoor exercise.
Indigenous Communities Face Extra Challenges
Staying indoors is not possible for everyone. Indigenous communities living on Borneo often depend on forests for food and income.
The Penan people live in villages in Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo. Many residents make baskets and bags, while others hunt and gather food in the forest.
The smoke has driven animals deeper into the jungle, making hunting harder. Gathering food has also become more difficult because the pollution irritates people’s eyes.
The community has stopped using traditional slash-and-burn farming methods to avoid creating more smoke. Older residents have developed coughs and trouble breathing, while the closest medical clinic is about an hour away by motorcycle.
Indonesia has sent thousands of people to fight the fires, but the size and depth of the blazes have made them difficult to control. As smoke continues to spread, residents across Southeast Asia are facing health risks, lost income, closed schools, and major changes to their daily lives.
For months, thick smoke has covered parts of Indonesia and nearby countries. The sky has turned yellow and orange, and many people say the scene looks like another planet.
In Central Kalimantan, schoolteacher Natanael Undas has watched the smoke grow worse. His family keeps the windows closed, but the pollution still enters their home. His 2-year-old daughter has been sneezing often as breathing problems rise across areas affected by the haze.
Heat and Dry Weather Fuel the Flames
Forest fires happen in Indonesia each year. Farmers and large companies sometimes clear land by setting vegetation on fire. This method is known as slash-and-burn farming.
However, the fires have been much more severe this year. Extreme heat and long periods without rain have dried forests and peatlands, giving the flames more fuel. A powerful El Niño weather pattern has made the dry conditions even worse.
The fires are burning both above ground and deep below the surface in peat soil. These underground fires can continue for long periods and are difficult to put out. They also release large amounts of dangerous smoke.
Millions of people across Southeast Asia have been affected. Schools have closed in several countries, outdoor activities have been canceled, and people have been urged to stay indoors when the air becomes unhealthy.
Protests Grow Over the Government Response
Hundreds of Indonesian students and civil society members have taken part in protests in Jakarta and other cities. They are demanding stronger action from the government and objecting to the decision not to declare the fires a national disaster.
Protesters are calling for:
- Open and independent investigations into the causes of the fires
- Long-term plans to prevent land burning
- More help for communities living in smoke-filled areas
- Legal action against companies connected to illegal fires
The government has said it is investigating businesses linked to the fires and sending aid to provinces facing the worst conditions. Police have identified 20 companies suspected of involvement, including four connected to neighboring countries in the region.
Neighboring Countries Demand Action
The pollution has also caused anger in Singapore, where air quality reached its worst level in years. The smoke has crossed national borders, leading to arguments between Indonesia and nearby governments over responsibility for the damage.
Singapore has warned that companies responsible for the fires could face prosecution. The two countries are also considering a joint task force to fight illegal land burning.
An environmental group in Indonesia identified dozens of companies with ties to Singapore and Malaysia that it said were connected to fire hot spots. Malaysia has rejected claims that its companies are involved. The government of Singapore has not responded to the allegations.
Indonesian officials have promised to use the law against businesses that profit from burning land. Still, the fires continue to disrupt daily life across the region.
Health Problems Spread With the Smoke
The haze contains fine particles that can enter deep into the lungs. These particles can worsen asthma and other breathing conditions.
More than 283,000 cases of respiratory illness connected to the fires have been reported in seven Indonesian provinces. That number is more than twice the total recorded earlier in the fire season.
A study focused on Singapore found that short-term increases in fine-particle pollution were linked to more emergency room visits for asthma and other long-term breathing problems. Similar increases were seen during earlier periods of smoke from Indonesian fires.
Adeline Tong, an engineer in Singapore, said the haze caused her asthma to return after many years without serious symptoms. She said she needs an inhaler after spending time outside without a protective N95 mask.
The smoke has also reduced visibility. Tong said nearby buildings have disappeared from view during the worst conditions. She has been able to work from home, but she avoids meeting friends at outdoor food centers and has stopped running outside to train for ballroom dancing.
Gyms have become more crowded because many people are avoiding outdoor exercise.
Indigenous Communities Face Extra Challenges
Staying indoors is not possible for everyone. Indigenous communities living on Borneo often depend on forests for food and income.
The Penan people live in villages in Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo. Many residents make baskets and bags, while others hunt and gather food in the forest.
The smoke has driven animals deeper into the jungle, making hunting harder. Gathering food has also become more difficult because the pollution irritates people’s eyes.
The community has stopped using traditional slash-and-burn farming methods to avoid creating more smoke. Older residents have developed coughs and trouble breathing, while the closest medical clinic is about an hour away by motorcycle.
Indonesia has sent thousands of people to fight the fires, but the size and depth of the blazes have made them difficult to control. As smoke continues to spread, residents across Southeast Asia are facing health risks, lost income, closed schools, and major changes to their daily lives.