World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Fires and haze disrupt lives and livelihoods in South Sumatra
Fires have sent thick haze across parts of Sumatra, including Ogan Ilir near Palembang in South Sumatra, where residents have faced near-constant smoke for more than two months.
The dry conditions have made the ground dusty and cracked, while Palembang’s air quality reached a record AQI of 1,477 before falling to 699.
Farmer Nita Herman says the haze makes her chest feel tight and has forced her to harvest rice early, with an expected yield of about two tonnes instead of 3.5 tonnes in 2025.
More than 12.5 million people were affected by fires in four Indonesian provinces, according to the Health Ministry on Sept 10.
The blazes have also damaged livelihoods and sent residents to clinics for breathing problems, while smoke has spread to parts of South-east Asia.
More than 60,000 personnel are fighting the fires nationwide, which have burned more than 200,000 hectares from January to July; the fires have intensified during a strong El Niño year.
Forest and land fires in South Sumatra have caused persistent haze, affecting health and livelihoods in communities near Palembang.
Farmers in Ogan Ilir are working in dry, smoky conditions and facing smaller harvests.
The fires have also brought residents to clinics for respiratory problems and reduced customers for tourism-dependent businesses.
More than 60,000 personnel have been deployed nationwide to fight the fires.
- Who
- Residents, farmers and firefighters in South Sumatra are affected.
- What
- Forest and land fires have caused haze, health problems and economic disruption.
- When
- Fires have continued for over two months; the article was published on Oct 23, 2026.
- Where
- Ogan Ilir regency, near Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Why
- The fires have intensified during a strong El Niño year, and an extended dry season has worsened conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 200,000ha were scorched by fires, according to the Forestry Ministry’s SiPongi monitoring system.
Nita Herman’s son, firefighter Eko Prasetyo, had not been home since this date.
The Health Ministry said fires had affected more than 12.5 million people in four provinces, including South Sumatra.
Firefighters were photographed trying to extinguish a fire on the outskirts of Palembang.
Palembang’s air quality reached a record AQI of 1,477, equivalent to PM2.5 800.
Nita Herman spoke to The Straits Times while working on her farm.
- Firefighting personnel
- More than 60,000 deployed nationwide
- Area burned
- More than 200,000ha from January to July 2026
- Affected people
- More than 12.5 million, according to the Health Ministry on Sept 10
- Palembang AQI
- 1,477 on Oct 16, equivalent to PM2.5 800
- Nita Herman’s estimated rice harvest
- About 2 tonnes, compared with 3.5 tonnes in 2025
What people are saying
Every year, we suffer.
My chest feels tight. When I drink, it feels like there’s a fish bone stuck in my throat,
If it doesn’t rain, he can’t come home,