Toxic Haze from Indonesian Fires Chokes SoutheastAsia Amid Super El Nino

Written by: Athirah Balqis binti Hafizan

By: Patrick Lee and Zaheena Rasheed

Credit: Al Jazeera 

SUMMARY OF NEWS

Kuala Lumpur, 1 September 2026 : Southeast Asia is currently facing its worst transboundary haze crisis since 2015, driven by severe forest and peatland fires in Indonesian Borneo. The resulting smoke has drifted across the region, heavily impacting Malaysia and particularly Sarawak, as well as Singapore and Brunei. Air quality in several areas has reached hazardous levels, with the Air Pollutant Index soaring past 400 in cities like Kuching and Serian, leaving communities enveloped in thick, persistent smog for weeks.

This environmental crisis has taken a heavy toll on public health, marked by a sharp national increase in asthma cases and respiratory illnesses. Vulnerable groups, including young children and asthma patients, have been hit hardest, with many families forced to keep their homes sealed and rely on air purifiers while dealing with frequent medical emergencies.

The widespread smog has also severely disrupted daily routines. Sarawak was forced to cancel its outdoor Independence Day celebrations, and hundreds of schools have temporarily closed to protect students, while sports academies have suspended outdoor training. In Indonesia, where the fires originated, thousands have been treated for respiratory infections after fires burned massive areas of land.

Experts note that while many of these fires are illegally set to clear land for agriculture and palm oil, the current crisis is being drastically worsened by an intensifying Super El Nino weather pattern. The resulting extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions have caused severe peatland drying, making the fires exceptionally difficult to put out until the seasonal rains arrive.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/9/1/toxic-haze-from-indonesian-fires-chokes-malaysian-borneo