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Southeast Asia’s hazardous haze

More than 140,000 people have reported respiratory infections in smog-choked areas.

Forest fires in Indonesia have been shrouding parts of Southeast Asia in haze for weeks. [Rosa Panggabean/Antara Foto/Reuters]
Forest fires in Indonesia have been shrouding parts of Southeast Asia in haze for weeks. [Rosa Panggabean/Antara Foto/Reuters]
7 Oct 2015

The forest fires blanketing Southeast Asia in a choking haze are on track to become among the worst on record, NASA has warned.

A prolonged dry season is hampering efforts to curb a crisis that has persisted for nearly two decades.

Malaysia, Singapore and large expanses of Indonesia have suffered for weeks from acrid smoke billowing from fires on plantations and peatlands that are being illegally cleared by burning.

The haze has had a devastating impact on people’s health in Indonesia, and more than 140,000 people have reported respiratory infections in smog-choked areas.

Environment officials said on Monday the level of pollution from Indonesia has risen sharply in the south of the country, near the Malaysian border, and health authorities were opening hotlines to provide advice and issuing face masks.

Many Indonesians have criticised the government's inability to prevent or put out the forest fires, which are blamed on the illegal practice of open burning to clear land by small farmers and plantation companies. [Wallace Woon/EPA]
Many Indonesians have criticised the government's inability to prevent or put out the forest fires, which are blamed on the illegal practice of open burning to clear land by small farmers and plantation companies. [Wallace Woon/EPA]
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A woman wearing a mask attends Sunday Mass prayer session at Sion Church in Palangkaraya, Indonesia. [Rosa Panggabean/Antara Foto/Reuters]
A woman wearing a mask attends Sunday Mass prayer session at Sion Church in Palangkaraya, Indonesia. [Rosa Panggabean/Antara Foto/Reuters]
Slash-and-burn agriculture in neighbouring Indonesia has blanketed Malaysia and Singapore in a choking haze for weeks. [Olivia Harris/Reuters]
Slash-and-burn agriculture in neighbouring Indonesia has blanketed Malaysia and Singapore in a choking haze for weeks. [Olivia Harris/Reuters]
The haze is caused by the burning of forests in Indonesia's Sumatra and Borneo islands. [Joshua Paul/AP]
The haze is caused by the burning of forests in Indonesia's Sumatra and Borneo islands. [Joshua Paul/AP]
Riau's authorities said that more than 140,000 people have suffered respiratory infections because of the smog, which has covered much of Sumatra and Borneo islands for more than two months. [Rony Muharrman/EPA]
Riau's authorities said that more than 140,000 people have suffered respiratory infections because of the smog, which has covered much of Sumatra and Borneo islands for more than two months. [Rony Muharrman/EPA]
A woman cries during a mass prayer for rain in Palembang. Indonesia is hoping for rain to help extinguish the forest fires. [Nova Wahyudi/Antara Foto/Reuters]
A woman cries during a mass prayer for rain in Palembang. Indonesia is hoping for rain to help extinguish the forest fires. [Nova Wahyudi/Antara Foto/Reuters]
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A security stands guard at the stadium shrouded with pollution haze during a singles match between Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Venus Williams in Beijing. [Andy Wong/AP]
A security stands guard at the stadium shrouded with pollution haze during a singles match between Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Venus Williams in Beijing. [Andy Wong/AP]
Indonesian authorities say they have suspended the operations of four plantation companies over forest fires on Sumatra. [Bagus Indahono/EPA]
Indonesian authorities say they have suspended the operations of four plantation companies over forest fires on Sumatra. [Bagus Indahono/EPA]
Haze from forest fires on Sumatra and the Indonesian part of Borneo is an annual hazard which authorities have blamed on the illegal practise of open burning. [Bagus Indahono/EPA]
Haze from forest fires on Sumatra and the Indonesian part of Borneo is an annual hazard which authorities have blamed on the illegal practise of open burning. [Bagus Indahono/EPA]
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