Indonesia trials dry ice to disperse forest fire haze

Indonesia has launched experimental atmospheric-modification trials using dry ice to combat toxic haze caused by widespread forest and peatland fires. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is testing the dispersal of frozen carbon dioxide granules to break up atmospheric inversion layers that trap hazardous smoke close to the ground.

During recent operations in South Sumatra, aircraft released approximately 1.5 to 2.4 tons of dry ice. Following these flights near Palembang’s Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport, officials reported a significant increase in visibility, rising from as low as 650 meters to between 1,500 and 2,800 meters. Unlike traditional cloud seeding, this method does not require rain clouds and focuses specifically on dispersing existing smoke.

The regional impact of the fires remains severe. The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre has activated its highest level 3 warning for transboundary haze, as smoke spreads across Southeast Asia, affecting Singapore, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste. The haze has led to respiratory health concerns, school closures, and disruptions to air travel and transportation throughout the region.