In brief
Indonesia’s devastating wildfires have produced a toxic haze that has sickened 175,000 people with breathing problems. The smoke has crossed borders, turning Malaysia and Singapore into unhealthily polluted zones. Health officials warn of rising asthma and pneumonia cases, while the government ramps up fire‑control measures. Residents are urged to stay indoors and use masks as emergency air‑purifiers are deployed.
Since late August, Indonesia’s record‑setting fires have spewed dense smoke over millions of hectares, turning the air into a toxic cloud of particulate matter. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, more than 175,000 people have now reported breathing‑related symptoms, and hospitals in Bali, Jakarta and other islands are reporting a surge in asthma and pneumonia cases.
The haze—known locally as "kencir"—has clamped the air quality in neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore to unhealthy levels, with air‑quality indices crossing the threshold for public health warnings. Officials say the combination of dry seasonal winds and slash‑burn livestock farms is amplifying the spread.
Liza Tambunan of BBC said emergency services are mobilising portable air‑purification units and urging residents to stay indoors with face masks. The government has pledged to enforce stricter fire‑control regulations and to work with the International Union of Forest Conservation to reduce slash‑burning.
