Key facts
- Wildfires have burned 1.9 million hectares across Indonesia since the start of the year.
- Over 277,000 people have suffered respiratory infections due to the toxic haze.
- Peatland fires require significant water and time to extinguish, with drought conditions making water scarce.
Wildfires have created an apocalyptic scene in Indonesian Borneo, blanketing the region in a toxic haze that has spread to Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The fires have torched approximately 1.9 million hectares across Indonesia since the start of the year, with one million hectares burning in September alone. This has led to over 277,000 recorded cases of respiratory infections, particularly affecting infants and toddlers. Residents are struggling with the health impacts, with many forced to stay indoors, impacting livelihoods and education. Firefighters are battling stubborn blazes, especially in peatlands, which are difficult to extinguish and require vast amounts of water, a resource scarce due to drought conditions amplified by a Super El Nino.