Indonesia wildfires on track for record-breaking emissions and regional haze

Wildfires in Indonesia are currently on a trajectory to match the country’s most intense fire seasons of the century. Driven by El Niño-induced dry conditions and human-driven slash-and-burn practices, the fires have scorched nearly 300,000 hectares of land, including significant areas on Borneo and Sumatra.

Data from the Global Fire Emissions Database indicates that as of early September, Indonesian fires have produced 76 million tonnes of carbon (MtC). Experts suggest the current season could mirror the extreme levels seen in 2015 or even the 1997–1998 period. In some regions, such as the eastern province of Papua, burning levels are reportedly higher than ever recorded.

The resulting thick haze has spread across Southeast Asia, affecting air quality in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. This has triggered a regional health crisis, with a surge in respiratory illnesses and hazardous air quality levels. Peatland fires, which smoulder underground, are contributing to high levels of toxic pollutants and significant carbon emissions.