Fires burning across forests and peatlands in Indonesia have spread smoke beyond the country's borders, affecting air quality in parts of Malaysia and Singapore. The fires have continued for several weeks across areas of Sumatra and Borneo, leaving haze in several locations.
The cross-border pollution is known as transboundary haze. It occurs when smoke from fires in one country travels into neighbouring countries and affects their air. Malaysia's Borneo region has recorded severely polluted air in some areas, while Singapore has also experienced poorer air quality because of the haze.
Fires spread across forests and peatlands
Indonesia's hot and dry conditions have made forests and exposed land easier to ignite. El Niño has brought lower rainfall and higher temperatures to several parts of the country this year, increasing dryness across forests and peatlands.
Burning to clear land for farming or other uses is also contributing to the spread of forest fires. The combination of dry weather and land-clearing fires can allow flames to move across a large area.
The scale of the fires has grown significantly. About 95,000 hectares had been affected by July. During the final week of August, around 6,902 hotspots were detected, including 5,201 in Kalimantan.
By 15 September, Indonesia had recorded 1,437 large and clearly identified hotspots. Central Kalimantan accounted for the largest share of those detections, with 689 hotspots.
Why peatland fires are difficult to extinguish
Peatlands contain layers of accumulated remains from old plants and trees. They store large amounts of carbon and are normally wet, but the risk of fire rises sharply when they dry out.
Indonesia has about 2.4 crore hectares of peatland, with around 1.6 crore hectares considered particularly vulnerable to fire. Unlike many surface fires, peat fires can continue smouldering below ground. Flames may therefore remain underground after a fire appears to have been put out and can spread again later.
This underground burning makes peatland fires especially difficult to extinguish completely. It also means that firefighting requires more than suppressing visible flames.
Pollution and wider damage
In some parts of Malaysia, the air pollution index rose above 500 during September. Singapore also reported degraded air quality as haze moved across the region.
Small particles in smoke can enter the body through breathing. Children, older people and those with respiratory illnesses may face greater difficulty when air quality worsens.
The fires are also damaging forests and wildlife habitats. Burning destroys vegetation and removes places where animals live and find food. The fires release substantial amounts of carbon dioxide as trees, plants and carbon-rich peat burn.
Between 1 and 7 September, Indonesia's forest fires were estimated to have released about 1.97 crore tonnes of carbon dioxide. That represented more than one-third of the total emissions from forest fires worldwide during that week.
Indonesia's response
Indonesia's government is using teams on the ground and aircraft to monitor and fight the fires. However, controlling visible flames alone cannot address the wider problem in peatlands.
Maintaining water levels in peatland areas and preventing the use of fire for land clearance are also identified as important measures. Continued dry weather and further land-clearing fires could bring more episodes of hazardous haze to Indonesia and neighbouring countries.
Conclusion
Indonesia's forest and peatland fires have created a regional haze problem, with smoke affecting Malaysia and Singapore. Dry conditions linked to El Niño, peatland vulnerability and land-clearing fires are increasing the challenge for authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which countries are being affected by Indonesia's fire smoke?
Smoke from the fires has reached Malaysia and Singapore, worsening air quality in parts of both countries.
Q. What is transboundary haze?
It is pollution created when smoke from fires in one country travels across borders and affects the air in neighbouring countries.
Q. How many hotspots were recorded by 15 September?
Indonesia recorded 1,437 large and clearly identified hotspots by 15 September. Central Kalimantan had 689 of them.
Q. Why are peatland fires difficult to put out?
Peat fires can continue burning underground, allowing fire to remain after surface flames are extinguished and spread again later.
Q. What role has El Niño played?
El Niño has been linked to lower rainfall and higher temperatures in several parts of Indonesia, leaving forests and peatlands drier and more vulnerable to fire.
Q. Who may be most affected by smoke particles?
Children, older people and people with respiratory illnesses may face greater problems when smoke worsens air quality.
Q. What is Indonesia doing to fight the fires?
The government is using ground teams and aircraft to monitor and suppress the fires.
Q. What measures are needed beyond firefighting?
Maintaining water levels in peatlands and preventing fires used to clear land are identified as necessary measures.
