Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Indonesia to Test Dry Ice Against Smoke Haze in South Sumatra
Indonesia will test dry ice against smoke haze over Palembang in South Sumatra on Thursday.
Fires have burned nearly 900,000 hectares across Indonesia since January, making this the country’s worst fire season in more than a decade.
The fires are worsened by a strong El Niño and the continued use of burning to clear land for crops such as palm oil.
Haze has caused health and travel problems in Indonesia and neighbouring countries, where it has been linked to respiratory illness and disrupted schools and flights.
Experts say dry ice may bring only limited local relief, because smoke can blow back into cleared areas.
A Cessna is set to disperse 1.5 tons over Palembang in a trial intended to improve air quality and visibility.
If the trial works, Indonesia may use the method elsewhere, including in other haze-prone regions.
Indonesia plans to test dropping dry ice over South Sumatra on Thursday, October 15, in an effort to reduce smoke haze from wildfires.
The trial is expected to use 1.5 tons of dry ice scattered by an aircraft over Palembang.
Authorities say they will assess the results before deciding whether to use the method in other regions.
The fires have burned almost 900,000 hectares in Indonesia this year, according to sources.
The haze has affected residents in Indonesia and drifted into neighbouring countries, including Singapore and Malaysia.
- Who
- Indonesia’s authorities are conducting the trial, with Coordinating Minister Dudung Abdurachman overseeing preparations.
- What
- An aircraft will scatter dry ice over South Sumatra to try to reduce haze and improve air quality and visibility.
- When
- Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Over Palembang, in South Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Why
- The trial aims to tackle smoke haze from wildfires and improve visibility and air quality.
Indonesian authorities
Rick McRae, bushfire researcher
Expected effect
Indonesian authorities
Authorities hope the dry ice will help lift smoke and improve air quality and visibility.
Rick McRae, bushfire researcher
McRae said it might provide local relief, but only for a while.
Use elsewhere
Indonesian authorities
Authorities may consider the method in other regions if the trial succeeds.
Rick McRae, bushfire researcher
McRae said it would not be a permanent fix.
Almost 900,000 hectares have burned in Indonesia, according to the Guardian.
Dudung Abdurachman inspected preparations for the dry ice trial at an air force base in Palembang.
An aircraft is scheduled to scatter 1.5 tons of dry ice over Palembang.
- Dry ice
- 1.5 tons
- Trial location
- Palembang, South Sumatra
- Trial date
- October 15, 2026
- Burned area
- Almost 900,000 hectares in Indonesia
- Proposed visibility improvement
- Around 1,000 meters to around 5,000 meters in Palembang
4 sources
What people are saying
If this trial is successful, we will continue with other areas that are central to the haze, such as Central Kalimantan and its surroundings.
We will first observe the results, and if effective, there is a possibility that this method could be implemented in other regions.
It’s got some potential for local relief that might work for a while,