Indonesian Wildfire Haze Spreads Across Southeast Asia Affecting Multiple Nations

Wildfires in Indonesia have created an air pollution crisis across Southeast Asia on Thursday, 15 October, turning local skies orange and spreading smoke across the region. Euronews reported that thick smoke in Palangkaraya reduced visibility to a few dozen metres and obscured the capital of Central Kalimantan province. Hundreds of kilometres away, the haze covered Singapore, nearly hiding the Marina Bay Sands complex from view. [1]

The smoke pushed air pollution levels in Singapore to a new high for the year, according to OnlineKhabar English News, Reuters, and NBC News. Bloomberg reported that the thick pollution triggered a surge in air-purifier purchases among residents in Singapore. SafeAbroad reported that high levels of air pollution are expected to cause disruptions to schools in Singapore until 18 October. [2][3][4][5][7][8]

The haze from the fires in Indonesia has also impacted other nearby nations. OnlineKhabar English News, Reuters, NBC News, and Daily Sabah all reported that authorities in East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, were forced to close schools as the pollution intensified. The BBC reported that smoke from the fires has choked Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. [2][6][7][8][9]

Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy and has a population spread across decentralized provinces, including Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Neighboring Singapore is a major regional financial hub with a population of more than six million people. [12][13]