The Highlights
- Indonesia is experiencing its worst wildfire season in 11 years.
- Forest and land fires may continue until early November.
- More than 12.5 million people have reportedly been exposed to smoke.
- Respiratory cases more than doubled during the first nine days of September.
- Malaysia and Singapore have also experienced worsening air quality.
Indonesia’s forest and land fires could continue until early November, raising concerns that haze may persist across parts of Southeast Asia, according to the country’s forestry minister.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the rainy season is expected to arrive later than previously forecast. Until then, prolonged dry conditions could allow fires to continue across Sumatra and Kalimantan, where some of the most severely affected areas are located.
Indonesia is currently experiencing its worst wildfire season in 11 years. The situation has been intensified by extreme heat, drought and El Niño-related weather conditions, making fires more difficult to control.
From January to July 2026, approximately 202,000 hectares of land were affected by fire. An additional 600,000 hectares may have burned in August, based on estimates reported by environmental groups.
Respiratory Cases Rise as Smoke Spreads
The worsening haze is also creating a growing public health concern. More than 12.5 million people across seven Indonesian provinces have reportedly been exposed to smoke from the fires.
Cases of respiratory illness rose from 50,891 on 1 September to 113,336 by 9 September, according to Indonesian health ministry figures. West Kalimantan, including the provincial capital Pontianak, has been among the hardest-hit areas.
Smoke from the fires has crossed national borders, affecting air quality in Malaysia and Singapore. This has renewed concerns over transboundary haze, particularly if dry conditions persist through October.
Indonesia Steps Up Firefighting Operations
Indonesia has deployed more than 50 aircraft for water bombing and cloud-seeding operations. Japan has also provided three CH-47 Chinook helicopters to support firefighting efforts in West Kalimantan.
President Prabowo Subianto has called for stricter punishment against people and companies responsible for illegal burning. He also urged authorities to investigate corporate violations and reconsider exemptions that allow certain communities to clear land using fire.
For Malaysians, the warning does not necessarily mean continuous haze until November. However, air quality could worsen whenever winds carry smoke from active fire zones towards the country.
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