# El Niño-driven extreme weather and wildfires in Pacific > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/el-nio-driven-extreme-weather-and-wildfires-in-pacific > Updated: 2026-08-24T23:06:08.000Z. Sources: 59. Developments: 2. A record-breaking El Niño event is driving extreme weather patterns across the Pacific region, contributing to significant wildfire activity and drought. In Indonesia, an estimated 103,000 hectares of land burned during the first half of 2026, with risks rising due to the El Niño-driven dry season and forest clearance for agriculture. As the dry season intensified in August 2026, experts noted that approximately 76.5 percent of Indonesia’s seasonal zones had entered the dry season, with low rainfall dominating over 90 percent of the territory. While environmental factors such as El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole reduce cloud formation and make vegetation highly flammable, experts emphasize that human activity remains the primary driver of these fires. Specifically, land clearing through burning and negligence are cited as critical factors. By late August 2026, widespread wildfires across Borneo and Sumatra have escalated into a significant public health crisis. The resulting haze has crossed international borders, impacting air quality in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, with the Air Pollutant Index hitting dangerous levels, including a reading of 573 in some areas. Authorities report that approximately 3.4 million people across seven provinces are at risk of respiratory infections. In response, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed 52 helicopters to drop 4.6 million liters of water, and weather modification operations using sodium chloride are underway in West Kalimantan to stimulate rainfall. Local officials in Pekanbaru and Siak have implemented distance learning to protect vulnerable groups. Additionally, law enforcement has named 72 suspects across nine regional departments in connection with illegal land clearing, particularly for palm oil plantations. ## Claims - Aerial operations involve 52 helicopters dropping more than four million liters of water at fire locations. (disputed by 3 sources) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has dropped 4.6 million liters of water via water bombing to fight fires. (disputed by 2 sources) - Haze from the wildfires has crossed borders, affecting air quality in Malaysia and Singapore. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The El Niño phenomenon and a strong dry season are exacerbating the drought and accelerating the spread of fires. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Mayor of Pekanbaru has declared a state of emergency for forest and land fires until September 7, 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In Jambi, authorities have ordered kindergarten and elementary school students to study from home. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Polri has named 72 suspects in 89 police reports across nine regional police departments regarding forest and land fires. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Investigators are examining financial transaction flows suspected to be related to financiers of the forest fires. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Ministry of Forestry recorded forest and land fire areas reaching 202,000 hectares from January to July 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Investigators have named three suspects for clearing forest areas by burning for palm oil cultivation in Kampar, Riau. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 3.4 million people in seven provinces across Borneo and Sumatra are at risk due to the wildfires. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Health Ministry has distributed more than 260,000 face masks to residents in the most severely affected areas. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Indonesia forest fires burn 74,000 hectares across six regions Widespread forest fires in Indonesia, fueled by El Niño, have burned over 74,000 hectares, causing hazardous haze in Sumatra and Kalimantan and affecting neighboring Malaysia and Brunei. 57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-forest-fires-driven-by-human-activity-and-el-nio ### 2026-08-20: El Nino triggers extreme weather and wildfires across Pacific region A record-breaking El Nino is causing extreme weather across the Pacific, including severe droughts and wildfires in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, alongside rare snowfall in West Papua highlands. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-nino-triggers-extreme-weather-and-wildfires-across-pacific-region --- Cite as: El Niño-driven extreme weather and wildfires in Pacific. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/el-nio-driven-extreme-weather-and-wildfires-in-pacific