Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Indonesian Fires Trigger Regional Haze Alerts, School Closures
Fires in Indonesian forests sent smoky air across parts of Southeast Asia.
The smoke made the air unhealthy or dangerous to breathe in several places.
Some schools canceled classes or moved them online.
Officials told people to stay indoors and limit time outside.
The fires have grown worse during a dry period linked to El Niño.
Indonesia said there were nearly 10,000 fire hotspots last month.
More than 200,000 hectares have burned in Indonesia this year.
Malaysia planned cloud seeding and considered closing offices in affected areas.
The smoke also reduced business activity and disrupted flights.
Forest fires in Indonesia pushed air pollution to unhealthy or hazardous levels across parts of Southeast Asia.
Quezon City canceled in-person public school classes, while Indonesian schools moved classes online because of the haze.
Indonesia reported nearly 10,000 fire hotspots last month and more than 200,000 hectares burned this year.
Malaysia’s Sarawak state considered office closures and scheduled cloud seeding as conditions worsened.
Indonesia deployed thousands of firefighters and aircraft, while haze disrupted businesses and caused flight delays and cancellations.
- Who
- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and residents across affected parts of Southeast Asia.
- What
- Forest fires in Indonesia caused cross-border haze, hazardous air pollution, school closures, warnings, and travel and business disruptions.
- When
- The crisis worsened after a prolonged dry period; cloud seeding in Sarawak was scheduled for September 3-5, and Quezon City canceled classes on Tuesday.
- Where
- Affected areas included Borneo, the Philippines, Malaysia’s Sarawak state, Indonesia’s Kalimantan and Sumatra, and parts of Southeast Asia.
- Why
- Prolonged dryness and hotter temperatures associated with the El Niño weather pattern increased the risk of widespread and persistent fires.
- Fire hotspots
- Indonesia recorded nearly 10,000 fire hotspots last month, about 10 times more than in the previous two years.
- Area burned
- More than 200,000 hectares have been scorched in Indonesia this year, according to official data.
- Air quality
- IQAir reported air quality ranging from very unhealthy to hazardous in parts of the Philippines and much of Borneo.
- Philippines response
- Quezon City canceled in-person public school classes and advised residents to limit outdoor activity and wear masks outdoors.
- Sarawak response
- Sarawak planned cloud seeding for September 3-5 and considered closing offices if an emergency was declared.
- Indonesia response
- Indonesia deployed thousands of firefighters and aircraft to fight the fires and drop water from above.
- Disruptions
- Haze caused online schooling, weaker business demand, and dozens of flight cancellations or delays due to low visibility.