World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Indonesia welcomes offers of help to fight fires as regional haze worsens
Fires in Indonesia are sending haze into nearby countries, including Singapore and Malaysia.
Both countries have offered to help fight the fires.
An Indonesian disaster official said firefighters on the ground may be more useful than helicopters because visibility is poor.
The haze has also raised concerns about air quality during Singapore’s Grand Prix.
Indonesia welcomed offers of help from Singapore and Malaysia to fight forest and land fires that have worsened haze across the region.
An Indonesian disaster management official said firefighters on the ground could be more useful than helicopters because visibility was very low.
The fires have burned large areas of Sumatra and Kalimantan, with smoke and haze affecting Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index reached 192 in central Singapore on Oct 9, its highest reading so far this year.
Indonesia’s officials could not confirm whether the country had formally accepted Singapore’s offer.
- Who
- Indonesia welcomed assistance offers from Singapore and Malaysia.
- What
- The countries are discussing help to tackle forest and land fires and regional haze.
- When
- Officials discussed assistance on Oct 8, Oct 9 and Oct 10, 2026.
- Where
- The fires have burned areas of Sumatra and Kalimantan, and haze has affected neighbouring countries.
- Why
- Fires have worsened air quality across the region; Indonesia said its priority was protecting communities’ safety and health.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
it would be better to have personnel on the ground rather than helicopters
We regard their willingness to help as a demonstration of friendship and the spirit of regional cooperation to protect communities from the impact of forest and land fires and haze.
We stand ready to assist where we can.
Our priority in tackling forest and land fires remains the safety and health of communities, both in Indonesia and across the region.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken by telephone with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Indonesia’s Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki said Prabowo had communicated with leaders of friendly countries about strengthening cooperation on fires.
Singapore’s 24-hour PSI reached 192 in central Singapore at 6pm, its highest reading so far that year.
Singapore’s Grace Fu said she had offered support to Indonesia, and Indonesian officials welcomed offers of assistance from Singapore and Malaysia.
- Affected Indonesian regions
- Sumatra and Kalimantan
- Countries affected by haze
- Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines
- Singapore PSI
- 192 in central Singapore at 6pm on Oct 9
- Singapore assistance offer
- Grace Fu said Singapore stood ready to assist where it could
- Indonesia’s assessment
- Ground personnel could be more useful than helicopters because visibility was very low
Sources
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