The BBC's Liza Tambunan is reporting from central Kalimantan, where Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade. Peat fires, which burn underground in layers of partially decayed vegetation, are notoriously difficult to contain because they can smoulder for months, releasing thick smoke that creates a toxic haze. This haze has already affected millions of residents and drifted across borders into Singapore and Malaysia, worsening regional air quality.
Indonesia faces worst wildfire season in a decade, BBC reports
Peat fires create toxic haze choking millions across Southeast Asia
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The BBC's Liza Tambunan is in central Kalimantan as Indonesia experiences its most severe wildfire season in ten years. A toxic haze from peat fires has been choking millions in the region and has spread to neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, highlighting the difficulty of extinguishing underground peat blazes.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The haze threatens public health across Southeast Asia, causing respiratory problems and economic disruption from school and business closures.
- Peat fires release significant carbon emissions, accelerating climate change and damaging peatland ecosystems.
- The transboundary nature of the haze has historically strained diplomatic relations between Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Background
Peatlands are waterlogged organic soils that store vast amounts of carbon. When drained or set alight, often for agricultural clearance, they can burn underground for extended periods, producing dense, acrid smoke. Indonesia has the largest tropical peatland area in the world, particularly on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Dry weather exacerbated by El Niño conditions typically worsens the fire season, and this year's season is the worst in a decade.
Key Perspectives
Affected residents in Indonesia and neighbouring countries: Communities face health dangers from hazardous air quality and disruptions to daily life as the haze lingers. Regional governments (Singapore, Malaysia): They have previously raised concerns about cross-border haze and sought cooperation with Indonesia on fire prevention and mitigation. Environmental experts: They stress the need for sustainable peatland management, including rewetting drained areas and enforcing bans on slash-and-burn clearance.
What to Watch
- Onset of seasonal rains, which could help extinguish fires but may be delayed depending on weather patterns.
- Regional diplomatic initiatives or bilateral agreements on haze monitoring and response.
- Whether the Indonesian government enhances enforcement of land-clearing regulations or mobilizes firefighting resources.
Sources
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedIndonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.BBC News: “Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.”
- SupportedThe BBC reports that Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.BBC News: “The BBC's Liza Tambunan is in central Kalimantan, as Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.”
- SupportedA toxic haze is choking millions of residents.BBC News: “A toxic haze has been choking millions of residents in the region, and has spread to neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.”
- Partly supportedThe haze is choking millions across Southeast Asia.BBC News: “A toxic haze has been choking millions of residents in the region, and has spread to neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.”
- Partly supportedPeat fires create the toxic haze.BBC News: “A toxic haze has been choking millions of residents in the region, and has spread to neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.”
- SupportedLiza Tambunan is reporting from central Kalimantan.BBC News: “The BBC's Liza Tambunan is in central Kalimantan”
- SupportedThe haze has spread to Singapore and Malaysia.BBC News: “A toxic haze has been choking millions of residents in the region, and has spread to neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.”
- Not in the sourcesPeat fires burn underground in layers of partially decayed vegetation.
- SupportedPeat fires are difficult to contain.BBC News: “Tambunan explains what peat is, and why peatland fires are so difficult to contain.”
- Not in the sourcesPeat fires can smoulder for months and release thick smoke.
- Not in the sourcesThe haze has worsened regional air quality.