Indonesian wildfire haze causes 50,000 respiratory infections, mostly children, as smog spreads across Southeast Asia

The weeks-long fires, burning since mid-July, are being intensified by a so-called Super El Niño that has exacerbated drought conditions across the region. The resulting smog has pushed air pollution in some areas to more than 15 times the World Health Organization's recommended level, according to reports.

Residents in affected areas described the worsening conditions. Rizma Nur Fatimah, a 19-year-old teaching assistant at a school in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, told the BBC that smog in her classroom had become so thick "you couldn't even see your own feet." She added, "Even inside the house, with everything closed, the haze still got in. We've been living with this since I was born. It's the same every year, so we've almost become resigned to it. But this year is worse."

In nearby Pengayuan village, Misbah, a 23-year-old mother, said her three-year-old daughter had developed a cough, sore throat and runny nose during the haze. On the Philippine island of Palawan, some 1,300 kilometres away, Dr Precious Bañas-Melad reported residents experiencing similar symptoms including itchy eyes, nose and throat.

Malaysia has also reported rising cases of respiratory illness, though specific figures were not immediately available. The haze continues to spread across the region, raising concerns about public health and the long-term environmental impact of the fires.

Why This Matters

The 50,000 respiratory infections documented in just two months represent a significant public health burden, with children under five disproportionately affected.
The haze is a transboundary crisis affecting multiple Southeast Asian nations, creating diplomatic and economic tensions over who bears responsibility.
The "Super El Niño" pattern suggests these conditions could persist or worsen, potentially leading to a longer fire season and more severe health impacts.

Background

Southeast Asia experiences seasonal haze largely from Indonesian wildfires, often started to clear land for agriculture — particularly palm oil and pulpwood plantations. Peatland fires are especially difficult to extinguish and produce thick, toxic smoke. El Niño conditions typically worsen drought, making fires more intense and harder to control. Previous major haze crises occurred in 2015 and 2019, causing billions in economic losses and severe health problems across the region.

Key Perspectives

Indonesian authorities: The Health Ministry has recorded the official case count, indicating awareness of the crisis, but the scale of fires suggests limited ability to suppress them quickly. Affected communities: Residents in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines are bearing the health consequences, with many expressing resignation as the haze returns annually. Environmental and health experts: Likely to call for stronger enforcement of fire bans, better land-use policies, and regional cooperation to address the root causes of plantation-driven burning.

What to Watch

Air quality index readings in major cities (Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila) for escalation beyond hazardous levels.
Any government announcements of cloud seeding, school closures, or emergency health measures.
Diplomatic responses from Malaysia and Singapore, which have previously protested Indonesian haze.
Rainfall forecasts for Sumatra and Borneo that could help extinguish fires or worsen drought.

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