Environment · 2026-10-21 · Morning briefing

Indonesian wildfires burn 1.9m hectares, creating regional haze

Wildfires across Indonesia have burned 1.9 million hectares since the start of the year, an area comparable to the entire landmass of Fiji. According to satellite data, one million of those hectares burned in September alone. The resulting toxic haze, thick with microparticles and carbon monoxide, has drifted across the region, affecting air quality in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The public health impact has been severe. By mid-October, Indonesia's Health Ministry had recorded over 277,000 cases of acute respiratory infections and chronic coughs linked to the smoke. More than 62,000 of those affected were infants and toddlers under the age of five.

A strong El Nino weather pattern has exacerbated the crisis by creating drought conditions and delaying seasonal rains. This makes extinguishing fires in carbon-rich peatlands particularly difficult. Firefighters report these blazes require vast quantities of water injected deep underground, a resource made scarce by the very drought fuelling the fires.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

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• The wildfires choking Indonesia, sparking regional haze
• The wildfires choking Indonesia, sparking regional haze
• Indonesia issues stark warning as haze from wildfires spreads to Malaysia
• Indonesian Wildfire Emissions Surge to World's Highest, Data Shows
• Indonesian wildfire emissions surge to world's highest, data shows

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