Indonesia Wildfires Ignite Southeast Asia Haze Crisis

Indonesia is grappling with its most severe wildfires in over a decade, causing widespread smog across Southeast Asia and impacting millions of people. The fires, concentrated on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, have been burning for weeks, exacerbated by dry weather and drought conditions associated with a strong El Niño event, locally termed a "Super El Niño."

From January to July, fires consumed approximately 202,000 hectares of land. In August alone, an additional 600,000 hectares were scorched, according to environmental group YKAN. Authorities warn that the fires could persist through October or early November due to a delayed rainy season.

Health Impacts of Haze

The smoke contains fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream. Short-term exposure can lead to irritated eyes, sore throat, coughing, headaches, and fatigue. It can also exacerbate asthma and strain the heart. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and premature death.

Children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions are particularly vulnerable. In Indonesia, the hazardous air quality has led to a significant increase in respiratory infections, with over 113,000 cases reported by September 9, doubling from the previous week. Children under five accounted for nearly a quarter of these cases. Some areas in Central Kalimantan have registered air quality index readings considered an immediate threat to human health.

Environmental and health agencies advise limiting outdoor activities, keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, and wearing N95 masks when outdoors. Pets and livestock are also at risk, with recommendations to keep them indoors and monitor for respiratory distress. Birds, due to their efficient respiratory systems, are especially susceptible.

Transboundary Haze: A Recurring Issue

Transboundary haze has been a persistent environmental and public health challenge in Southeast Asia for decades, primarily stemming from land-clearing fires for agriculture and plantations in Indonesia. Prevailing winds carry smoke plumes from Sumatra and Kalimantan to neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and sometimes the Philippines and Thailand.

The problem intensified in the 1980s and 1990s with the expansion of commercial logging, palm oil cultivation, and peatland drainage. The 1997-98 haze crisis, amplified by a strong El Niño, resulted in significant economic, social, and environmental losses across the region.

While peatland restoration efforts and improved domestic policies in Indonesia have led to improvements in recent years, enforcement remains inconsistent. This year's severe El Niño and extended dry season have worsened the fires and subsequent haze. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meteorological office activated its highest alert level for the southern ASEAN region on August 26.

Malaysia has recorded unhealthy air quality levels in numerous areas, prompting a state of emergency in parts of Sarawak and school closures. Singapore also experienced unhealthy air quality, the first time since 2019, though conditions improved slightly. The haze has also affected the Philippines, leading to the cancellation of in-person classes in some regions.

El Niño's Broader Impact

Beyond the haze, the "Super El Niño" is contributing to drier conditions that hinder firefighting efforts and reduce the effectiveness of cloud-seeding operations. The phenomenon is also threatening agricultural harvests across Asia. Heat waves and water stress are impacting palm oil production in Indonesia, while irregular rainfall patterns are affecting rice yields in India and sugar harvests in Thailand.

These agricultural disruptions, combined with existing inflationary pressures in some regions, raise concerns about food insecurity and potential civil unrest. Countries already facing humanitarian crises could experience further instability if food prices and availability are significantly impacted and governments respond ineffectively, according to a Verisk Maplecroft report. Indonesia itself has seen protests in recent months related to rising food and fuel prices and corruption.