A new report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) estimates that toxic smoke from wildfires killed 3,560 people in Indonesia in September, as air pollution-related deaths in the country surged 42% from the previous month.
The Helsinki-based think tank's study, released Thursday, found that total air pollution deaths rose to 5,310 in September, up from 3,740 in August. Of the September total, 1,750 deaths were attributed to chronic, non-fire emissions from urban and industrial air pollution sources.
Amid an El Niño weather pattern, severe drought has sparked wildfires that have led to deforestation and sent toxic smog across Indonesia, while also raising pollution levels in neighbouring countries including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and East Timor.
According to the report, fire smoke accounted for 94-99% of air pollution-related deaths in Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, and more than 80% on Sumatra, the regions worst affected. On Java, deaths remained largely tied to urban and industrial sources.
The number of citizens exposed to unhealthy to hazardous air quality reached a record peak of 58 million in September, the report found. In Kalimantan alone, the number of people inhaling hazardous-level air nearly tripled from 2.8 million to 6.4 million during the worst days of the month.
The Indonesian government defended its response on Wednesday, saying it had deployed more than 72,000 personnel for cloud-seeding and firefighting operations, activated over 2,100 doctors and health workers in hard-hit areas, and distributed 5.3 million masks.
The government faces increasing criticism for its response to the fires.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The death toll underscores the severe public health crisis from annual fires, which are intensified by climate change and land-clearing practices.
- Transboundary haze affects millions in neighbouring countries, risking diplomatic tensions and regional cooperation on air pollution.
- The surge in deaths highlights gaps in prevention and mitigation, putting pressure on the Indonesian government to strengthen its response.
Background
Indonesia experiences regular forest and land fires, often linked to slash-and-burn agriculture for palm oil and pulpwood plantations. El Niño conditions worsen drought, making fires more intense and harder to control. The government has faced repeated international criticism for inadequate enforcement of fire bans and for the health impacts of haze across Southeast Asia.
Key Perspectives
- Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA): the report found fire smoke caused 3,560 deaths in September, with 58 million exposed to hazardous air quality, the highest on record; chronic emissions added 1,750 deaths.
- Indonesian government: defended its response, citing deployment of over 72,000 personnel for cloud-seeding and firefighting, activation of thousands of health workers, and distribution of millions of masks.
What to Watch
- Continued El Niño conditions may prolong the fire season, worsening air quality in coming months.
- Whether Indonesia adopts stricter enforcement of land-clearing bans and invests in early-warning systems.
- Regional diplomatic fallout as neighbours affected by haze push for accountability and transboundary cooperation.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedThe report found that wildfire smoke was linked to 3,560 deaths in Indonesia in September.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Toxic smoke from wildfires killed 3,560 people in Indonesia last month, according to a new report.”
- SupportedAir pollution-related deaths in Indonesia rose 42% in September from August.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “air pollution-related deaths in Indonesia surged by 42 percent in September, rising from an estimated 3,740 people killed in August to 5,310.”
- SupportedThe Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air released the study on Thursday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The study, released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) on Thursday”
- SupportedTotal air pollution deaths rose to 5,310 in September, from an estimated 3,740 in August.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “rising from an estimated 3,740 people killed in August to 5,310.”
- SupportedNon-fire emissions from urban and industrial sources caused 1,750 deaths in September.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Chronic, non-fire emissions from urban and industrial air pollution sources” caused another 1,750 deaths”
- SupportedSevere drought amid an El Niño pattern sparked wildfires that led to deforestation and sent toxic smog across Indonesia.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Amid an El Nino weather pattern, Indonesia has been dealing with devastating wildfires sparked by severe drought, which have led to deforestation and sent toxic smog across the Southeast Asian archipelago.”
- SupportedThe fires also raised pollution levels in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and East Timor.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “It has also raised pollution levels in neighbouring countries, including Malaysia , Singapore, the Philippines and East Timor.”
- SupportedFire smoke accounted for 94–99% of air pollution-related deaths in Kalimantan and more than 80% on Sumatra.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Toxic fire smoke accounted for 94-99 percent of air pollution-related deaths in Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, and more than 80 percent on Sumatra”
- SupportedOn Java, deaths remained largely tied to urban and industrial sources.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Deaths on the southern island of Java, meanwhile, remained largely tied to urban and industrial sources”
- SupportedThe number of citizens exposed to unhealthy-to-hazardous air quality reached a record peak of 58 million in September.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “the number of citizens exposed to “unhealthy” to “hazardous” air quality reached a record peak of 58 million in September.”
- SupportedIn Kalimantan, the number of people inhaling hazardous-level air nearly tripled from 2.8 million to 6.4 million during the worst days of the month.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Citizens inhaling hazardous-level air in Kalimantan alone nearly tripled from 2.8 million to 6.4 million during the worst days of the month,” it found.”
- SupportedOn Wednesday, the government defended its response and said it had deployed more than 72,000 personnel for cloud-seeding and firefighting, activated over 2,100 doctors and health workers, and distributed 5.3 million masks.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “On Wednesday, it defended its approach, noting it has deployed more than 72,000 people to carry out cloud-seeding and firefighting operations, activated more than 2,100 doctors and health workers in hard-hit areas, and distributed 5.3 million masks.”
