Borneo wildfires spread hazardous smoke across south-east Asia
Wildfires across Indonesian Borneo have created a toxic haze that is harming residents and disrupting daily life. The smoke has spread beyond Indonesia to Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, making the fires a regional health and environmental concern.
About 1.9 million hectares have burned in Indonesia since the start of the year, with an estimated one million hectares burning in September alone. By mid-October, the Health Ministry had recorded more than 277,000 cases of chronic coughs and acute respiratory infections, including over 62,000 among children under five. Residents describe worrying symptoms in their children and say official advice to stay indoors is difficult to follow when daily necessities still require them to go out.
- Indonesian fires have burned about 1.9 million hectares this year.
- Smoke has spread across Southeast Asia.
- More than 277,000 respiratory illness cases were recorded by mid-October.
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Borneo is shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and its forests include peatlands: areas of partly decayed plant material that can burn underground as well as at the surface. Fires are often started to clear land for farming or plantations, but they can spread widely during dry weather.
Smoke from fires can travel across national borders, carrying tiny particles that irritate the lungs and worsen breathing problems. The haze can affect people who live far from the fires, disrupt travel and work, and damage forests and wildlife. Indonesia’s health authorities track respiratory illness, while neighbouring countries may also face health and air-quality effects.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Borneo is burning – living on the frontline of Asia’s toxic haze”.