Indonesian wildfire haze triggers highest regional alert across Southeast Asia

The regional meteorological monitor for Southeast Asia raised its highest-level haze alert after months of wildfires in Indonesia continued to spew toxic smoke across the region. France 24, along with reports from AFP and news outlets in Syria and Kuwait, reported that the seasonal fires have triggered severe pollution levels across multiple countries. [1][5][6][10]

According to France 24, the smoke comes from forest and peatland fires, which have been intensified this year by drought conditions linked to a severe super-El Nino effect. The ongoing pollution spell has closed schools, driven a rise in respiratory illnesses, and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor. [1]

NDTV reported that sales of oxygen tanks and air purifiers spiked by 600 percent in Southeast Asia as residents sought relief from the heavy smoke. As FTMQ News reported earlier, four people died while fighting a wildfire in East Java, and Indonesia agreed to accept international assistance to help control its worst forest fires in over ten years. [8][9][14]

Southeast Asia lies south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of Australia. Maritime Southeast Asia is one of the few Asian subregions located partly in the Southern Hemisphere, while mainland Southeast Asia sits entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. [12]