Indonesia Faces Worst Wildfire Season in a Decade Amidst Toxic Haze
Peatland fires are proving exceptionally difficult to contain, blanketing the region and neighboring countries in hazardous smoke.
Indonesia is grappling with its most severe wildfire season in ten years, with a toxic haze engulfing millions of residents and extending into neighboring nations like Singapore and Malaysia. The BBC's Liza Tambunan is reporting from central Kalimantan, explaining the unique challenges posed by peatland fires.
Peat, a highly combustible organic material that accumulates in wetlands, exacerbates the intensity and spread of these fires. Once ignited, peat fires burn underground and can smolder for extended periods, making them notoriously difficult to extinguish. The dense, toxic smoke released contributes significantly to the hazardous air quality affecting a vast region.
This environmental crisis highlights the vulnerability of peatlands and the complex factors contributing to the current wildfire season, which is the worst the country has experienced in a decade.