Indonesia's Wildfire Haze Persists for Months, Spreading Across Region
Months of wildfires in Indonesia have blanketed millions in toxic haze and spread across Southeast Asia, with coverage split between health and economic impacts, regional spillover, and the deeper causes of the recurring fires.
What happened
Millions of people in Indonesia have lived under a blanket of toxic haze for months, driven by wildfires fueled by a drought linked to the El Nino weather pattern.58
The wildfires, which have burned large areas of forest and peat, have produced haze that has spread into neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.910
Around 175,000 people in Indonesia have suffered from respiratory illness since August, according to the BBC.7
Rain has provided relief to some residents, such as in Pontianak, after the prolonged haze disrupted daily activities.3
The haze and associated heat have created broader strain in the region, including on livestock and agriculture.1
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Primary driver of 2026's severe global ozone/air pollution
European Union report, via France 24
Heatwaves and wildfires broadly exposed 34 percent of world population to extremely poor ozone air quality, with Asia recording the highest exposure.2
Unnamed monitor, via The Straits Times
2026's ozone pollution was driven in part by record-breaking heatwaves and wildfires that seared Europe and North America.6
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asian outlets covering regional spillover and root causesSoutheast Asia | Coverage from Singapore and Malaysia focuses on how Indonesia's fires create transboundary haze affecting neighboring countries, and examines why the fires persist despite government bans and crackdowns.910 | transboundary haze, persistent cycle of fires, bans and crackdowns, regional impact |
| US and Australian outlets emphasizing human toll and drought causesNorth America | American and Australian coverage frames the haze as a months-long humanitarian and environmental crisis, emphasizing the scale of exposure and the role of El Nino-driven drought.85 | stifling blanket, punishing drought, millions affected, toxic haze |
| East Asian outlet on economic and livestock impactEast Asia | Hong Kong-based coverage highlights secondary economic effects, specifically how haze combined with heat is reducing chicken egg production and straining farmers in Malaysia and Indonesia.1 | livestock impact, farmer finances, egg production, cumulative strain |
| European public broadcasters on global pollution dataEurope | European coverage situates the Indonesian haze within a broader global ozone pollution story, citing EU data on worldwide exposure and noting Asia's high exposure levels.2 | global ozone pollution, extremely poor air quality, EU report data |
| Middle Eastern outlet on relief and disruptionMiddle East & Turkey | Arab News frames the story around the arrival of rain as relief from the haze, while noting the disruption the haze caused to daily life and its spread to neighboring countries.3 | relief, disruption to daily life, rain as turning point |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported the Indonesian government's official response or firefighting efforts in detail.
- None of the outlets reviewed gave a comprehensive death toll or total number of people affected across the whole region.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed specific companies or individuals responsible for setting the fires, beyond general references to bans and crackdowns.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported on diplomatic exchanges between Indonesia and affected neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.
Why it matters
Risk from toxic metals in wildfire smoke can persist for months after fires, according to a Maui-based study, suggesting long-term health monitoring may be needed in affected areas.4
The haze has coincided with broader heat-related strain on the region's livestock and agriculture sector, according to farmers and industry groups.1
What to watch
- Whether rain continues to provide relief from the haze or fires resume as conditions dry out.
- Long-term health monitoring of affected populations, given findings that toxic metal risks can persist for months after wildfires.
Sources (10)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
North America
- 4STATUSPrivate
Risk from toxic metals can persist months after wildfires, Maui study finds
- 8The New York TimesUSPrivate
Millions in Indonesia Breathe In Toxic Haze From Months of Wildfires
Europe
- 2France 24FRPublic broadcaster
Heatwaves, wildfires expose a third of world to extreme ozone pollution
- 7BBC NewsGBPublic broadcaster
Watch: How toxic smog from wildfires is making Indonesians sick
Middle East & Turkey
- 3Arab NewsSAPrivate
‘Gift from God’: Rain brings relief from Indonesia toxic haze
East Asia
- 1South China Morning PostHKPrivate
Chickens in Malaysia are producing fewer eggs. Is haze a leading cause?
Southeast Asia
- 6The Straits TimesSGPrivate
One third of world population exposed to harmful air pollution: Monitor
- 9Malay MailMYPrivate
- 10CNASGState-controlled
Cheap to burn, costly to bear: What fuels Indonesia’s persistent cycle of fires and haze?
Oceania
- 5The Sydney Morning HeraldAUPrivate
‘All we could see was red’: The wildfires choking Indonesian Borneo