Smoke From Indonesia's Fires Has Blanketed Southeast Asia for Weeks

Keypoints:

• Fires across Borneo and Sumatra have spread thick haze across Southeast Asia, reaching as far as the Philippines.
• A strong El Niño has worsened drought conditions, making fires harder to control.
• Singapore recorded “very high” air pollution on October 14 and introduced subsidies for haze-related medical treatment.
• Malaysia and East Timor closed schools as pollution raised health concerns.
• Indonesia has deployed tens of thousands of personnel to fight the fires, while Singapore is taking action against companies linked to affected land.

For weeks, smoke from forest and land fires in Indonesia has clouded skies across Southeast Asia. Fires burning in Borneo and Sumatra have sent thick haze into Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor, with smoke reaching as far as the Philippines. A strong El Niño has intensified dry conditions this year, allowing fires to spread and making them harder to extinguish.

The impact has been particularly serious in Singapore. On October 14, air pollution in western Singapore reached the country's highest “very high” category, with fine particulate pollution reaching 288 micrograms per cubic meter.

These tiny particles can enter deep into the lungs and pose risks to human health. The government reintroduced subsidies for haze-related medical treatment, a measure last activated during the 2015 haze crisis. Eligible patients can receive treatment at subsidized rates, with fees capped at S10 for most people and S5 for seniors.

Schools have also been affected. Malaysia temporarily closed schools in several areas as air quality deteriorated, while East Timor shut schools nationwide for three days. Indonesian authorities reported hundreds of thousands of respiratory complaints in haze-affected regions since August, underlining the scale of the public health problem. 

Indonesia has mobilized more than 60,000 personnel for firefighting and prevention operations, supported by aircraft and other equipment. One major challenge is the country's peatland fires. Peat consists of partially decomposed plant material stored in waterlogged soil. When peatlands dry out, fires can burn underground and continue smoldering even after surface flames disappear, making them difficult to extinguish.

The crisis has also increased pressure on businesses linked to the affected areas. Singapore's National Environment Agency issued notices to seven Indonesian companies on October 16, requiring them to deploy firefighting personnel, stop burning activities and submit plans to prevent fires from spreading or recurring. The notices are part of Singapore's effort to address cross-border haze pollution. 

There may be some relief if seasonal winds shift as expected, reducing the amount of smoke reaching Singapore. However, the longer-term challenge remains. El Niño can worsen dry conditions, but land-clearing practices and poorly managed fires also contribute to recurring haze.

The crisis shows how fires in one country can quickly become a regional problem. Until the blazes are controlled and prevention improves, millions of people across Southeast Asia may continue to face unhealthy air.