In brief
Wildfires in Indonesia have spread over vast peatlands, creating dense ash clouds that drift into neighbouring countries. The fires are notoriously hard to extinguish because they burn within deep peat layers, and hot, dry seasonal winds spread embers quickly. The haze contains harmful particulate matter and toxic metals, posing health risks for millions of people. International and domestic governments are committing more resources to fire suppression and reforestation, but hotter, drier seasons may make similar outbreaks more common.
For several weeks, vast swaths of Indonesia’s peatlands and rainforests have been aflame, releasing smoke that has blanketed Indonesian skies and drifted northward into Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
The fires are notoriously stubborn, with shallow fires smoldering inside peat layers that are hard to reach from the surface, and the hot, dry season turning wetlands into tinder.
Firefighters face logistical challenges: dense smoke reduces visibility, and the high winds that characterize the region spread embers over large distances. Limited water supplies and a lack of rapid-response equipment further hamper efforts.
Why the haze is so harmful
Peatland fires produce fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, and small black carbon particles are responsible for the blackening of the sky. Chemists find that the smoke contains mercury, lead and other toxic metals, posing health risks for millions.
Global response and future outlook
International partners and Indonesia’s government have pledged increased funding for fire suppression and reforestation, but climate models suggest that hotter, drier seasons could make similar outbreaks more frequent.
Citizens in cities such as Jakarta have reported respiratory distress, while airlines have scrambled flight routes to avoid the worst of the haze.