started · updated
Indonesia wildfires trigger severe haze across Southeast Asia
Massive wildfires in Indonesia, driven by an intense El Niño-induced dry season, have created a severe haze crisis across Southeast Asia. The smoke has drifted into Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, significantly degrading air quality.
In Singapore, the air quality index (AQI) reached 216 on Friday morning, placing the city-state at the top of global pollution rankings according to IQAir. Authorities have suspended outdoor physical training for the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team, and officials are prepared to distribute N95 masks if pollution levels continue to rise.
In Indonesia, the impact is widespread. In West Kalimantan, the drought and fires have caused wildlife casualties, including several species of orangutans and monkeys. In Padang, heavy rain and flooding have also been reported, while local schools have transitioned to remote learning to protect students from the toxic air.
In Malaysia, schools in several states have closed due to hazardous air quality. The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry continues to monitor hundreds of active hotspots, with significant activity reported in Central Kalimantan, South Sumatra, and Jambi. Efforts to combat the fires include water bombing and weather modification operations, though thick smoke has occasionally hindered aerial firefighting.
Entities
El Niño · Grace Fu · Greenpeace · Indonesia · Jumhur Hidayat · Kalimantan · Malaysia · Ministry of Forestry · National Environment Agency · Singapore · University of Galway
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Of the 33,514 hectares burned, 29,700 hectares were located in Kalimantan.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Indonesian authorities have identified 57 business entities with burned concession areas across eight provinces.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greenpeace identified nearly 7,000 fire hotspots across Indonesia between August 8 and October 1. www.ilfattoquotidiano.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Padang City government mandated remote learning for PAUD, SD, and SMP students due to worsening haze.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Singapore's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 216, categorized as 'very unhealthy'. www.stiripesurse.ro · www.descopera.ro
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Indonesian authorities have identified 198 individual suspects in forest and land fire investigations.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Malaysia ordered widespread school closures in several regions, including Kuala Lumpur, due to haze. www.ilfattoquotidiano.it · kurier.at
- [● 14 SOURCES] The El Niño phenomenon has contributed to extreme drought conditions, exacerbating the forest fires. www.stiripesurse.ro · www.ilfattoquotidiano.it · kurier.at · www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · +9 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry counts hundreds of active fires. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · www.op-online.de · www.tz.de · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Singapore reached an air quality index (AQI) of 216 on Friday morning. kesq.com · www.descopera.ro · www.stiripesurse.ro
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in central Singapore hit 192 on October 9. www.businesstimes.com.sg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team have suspended outdoor physical training. www.chiangraitimes.com