How haze from Indonesian fires impacts Southeast Asia
Nearly 300,000 hectares have burned this year as slash-and-burn fires drive haze that has closed schools and raised respiratory risks across Southeast Asia.
- On Friday, Malaysia declared an emergency in a region of Sarawak state in Borneo after smoke from Indonesian forest fires blanketed the area, forcing nearly 650 schools to close next week.
- Analysts note the El Nino weather phenomenon, potentially the strongest in four decades, creates dry conditions that allow human-started fires to escape and become very large.
- So far this year, nearly 300,000 hectares of land have burned in Indonesia, while NGO Pantau Gambut detected more than 210,000 hotspots in peatland areas since January.
- More than 5 million people across Borneo and Sumatra face health risks from the haze, according to deputy health minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono, while over 1.4 million students attend classes remotely.
- The Philippines saw air quality return to normal after a week of "very unhealthy" levels forced school closures, though Indonesia continues working with neighbors to address the transboundary haze.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Indonesian fires impact Southeast Asia
Thick smog has blanketed parts of Indonesia as the vast archipelago for weeks battles to contain fires that have burned large swathes of Borneo and Sumatra.The hazardous smoke has led to an increase in respiratory problems, forced schools to close and has been drifting to neighboring countries inclu
A thick cloud of toxic smoke from forest fires in Indonesia spreads to neighbouring countries, causing school closures and major health risks A thick cloud of smoke
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej TodayAs smoke spreads across South-east Asia, Indonesia works with neighbours to tackle transboundary haze
JAKARTA, Sept 5 — Indonesia continues to coordinate with neighbouring countries and utilise Asean mechanisms to address transboundary haze, while intensifying domestic efforts...
Forest fires caused by intense drought are increasing in northern Indonesia with consequences for human health and pollution in neighbouring countries. A thick cloud of smoke covers parts of the country and has spread to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
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