Indonesia wildfires cause school closures and transboundary haze

Severe wildfires across Indonesia, exacerbated by the El Niño climate phenomenon, have burned more than 107,000 hectares of land this year. The blazes have prompted the deployment of nearly 50,000 firefighters and the use of cloud-seeding aircraft to induce rainfall in an attempt to mitigate the dry conditions.

The resulting smoke and poor air quality have caused significant disruption, including the closure of dozens of schools in West Kalimantan, where students have transitioned to remote learning. In East Java, a major fire in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park has destroyed approximately 900 hectares and led to the park's closure to visitors.

The haze has also crossed borders into Malaysia, particularly affecting the state of Sarawak. Multiple areas in Sarawak, including Serian, Kuching, and Bintulu, have recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings. Local authorities in Malaysia have advised the public to limit outdoor activities and wear masks as the transboundary haze persists.