Key facts
- Wildfires in Indonesia have burned over 107,000 hectares.
- The haze from the fires has spread to neighboring Malaysia.
- School closures have been prompted by the haze.
- An intense El Nino is exacerbating the wildfires.
- Cloud-seeding aircraft have been deployed by authorities.
- Thousands of personnel are battling the blazes.
- The fires have been burning for weeks.
- Authorities are investigating illegal land clearing practices.
Wildfires in Indonesia have spread across more than 107,000 hectares, creating a haze that has reached neighboring Malaysia and caused school closures. The Indonesian government has deployed thousands of personnel, including military and police, to combat the blazes, which are being exacerbated by an intense El Nino weather pattern. Cloud-seeding aircraft have been deployed in an effort to induce rain and suppress the fires. The fires, which have been burning for weeks, are a recurring problem in Indonesia, particularly during the dry season. The government has stated its commitment to addressing the issue, but the scale of the current fires presents a significant challenge. The haze has led to a decline in air quality in affected regions, prompting health advisories and the closure of schools in some areas of Malaysia. Authorities are investigating the causes of the fires, with a focus on illegal land clearing practices. Efforts are underway to extinguish the fires and prevent their further spread, but the dry conditions and strong winds are making the task difficult. The long-term impact of the fires on the environment and public health is a growing concern.