Key facts
- Indonesia has warned of legal action against those starting open fires amidst spreading wildfire haze.
- Over 5,000 hot spots were recorded on Borneo, causing visibility issues and impacting air quality.
- The fires, fueled by an intensifying El Nino and dry season, have spread smoke to Malaysia.
- Malaysia has closed nearly 600 schools in Sarawak due to unhealthy air quality.
- Indonesian authorities have detained 12 suspects linked to alleged arson and illegal land clearing.
- Nearly 285,000 hectares have burned in Indonesia this year, with 182,000 hectares scorched in July alone.
Indonesian authorities have issued stern warnings against starting open fires as widespread wildfires, particularly on Borneo, generate a thick haze that is impacting visibility and air quality in both Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia. Over 5,000 hot spots have been detected on Borneo, leading to severely reduced visibility in some areas of Kalimantan, causing traffic accidents and flight delays. Residents, including schoolchildren, are resorting to masks due to the poor air quality.
The fires are exacerbated by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency. The smoke has crossed into Malaysia, with the eastern state of Sarawak experiencing "very unhealthy" air quality, prompting the closure of nearly 600 schools and affecting approximately 200,000 students.
Central Kalimantan Police have detained 12 suspects in connection with alleged arson and illegal land clearing over the past week, with investigators working to determine the exact causes. Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has pledged strict legal action against anyone found to be destroying nature and forests, regardless of their status.
Nationwide, Indonesia's Forestry Ministry recorded a significant increase in hot spots, with 11,908 detected in the 24 hours preceding the report, up from 6,352 the previous day. The total area burned this year has reached approximately 285,000 hectares, with about 182,000 hectares scorched in July alone. Indonesia frequently experiences transboundary haze during severe fire seasons, often linked to illegal land clearing for plantations and agriculture.