World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Singapore haze remains unhealthy as officials prepare emergency measures
Smoke from forest and land fires in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan has drifted over Singapore.
On Saturday morning, pollution readings in every part of the city were above the safe threshold of 100, though they had fallen from Friday’s peak.
Singapore’s Haze Task Force, which includes 28 government agencies, is ready to begin emergency measures if the index rises above 200.
These measures include handing out N95 masks, opening air-conditioned shelters and stopping outdoor activities for children and workers.
The haze coincides with the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay, where a sprint race was scheduled for Saturday.
Formula One driver Carlos Sainz said he was concerned about the air, while he and other drivers would follow official guidance.
Race officials are monitoring conditions, and there was no sign of a delay or cancellation at the time of the report.
Singapore’s air quality remained unhealthy on Saturday, with 24-hour pollution readings above the safe threshold in every region.
The haze followed a seasonal peak of 192 in central Singapore on Friday afternoon.
Singapore’s 28-agency haze task force is on standby to activate emergency measures if the index exceeds 200.
The haze was reported to have blown from fires in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan.
The poor air quality coincided with the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, but no delay or cancellation of race sessions was indicated.
- Who
- Singapore residents and visitors, including Formula 1 teams and drivers, are affected. The government’s 28-agency haze task force is on standby.
- What
- Haze left air quality unhealthy across Singapore, prompting officials to prepare emergency measures if the pollution index exceeds 200.
- When
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, after the seasonal peak on Friday, 9 October.
- Where
- Singapore; the haze was reported to have come from fires in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- Why
- Smoke from fires was carried by winds into Singapore.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It feels like this is not the healthiest place to breathe right now, given the high levels of pollution from the fires in Indonesia.
In cases like this, we always go by what the authorities say. Besides, this is a unique sport. When racing, we have been used to breathing in the residue from the fuel combustion of the car in front since we were 11 or 12 years old.
So it is debatable whether this is a healthy sport or not, but we love it.
The haze is obviously a different thing, but we have to follow the official decisions of the authorities.
The seasonal haze peak reached a 24-hour PSI of 192 in central Singapore.
The 24-hour PSI ranged from 125 in the north to 176 in the central region, with all regions above 100.
Singapore’s haze task force was on standby to activate emergency measures if the PSI exceeded 200.
The Singapore Grand Prix was scheduled to hold its first sprint race, with no indication of a delay or cancellation.
- Central Singapore PSI peak
- 192 on Friday afternoon
- Saturday central-region PSI
- 176 at 7 a.m. local time
- Safe-threshold level
- PSI 100
- Emergency-measures trigger
- PSI above 200
- Haze task force
- 28 government agencies
- Reported fire locations
- Southern Sumatra and Kalimantan
Sources
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