# Indonesia's wildfire haze chokes millions across Southeast Asia

> Toxic smoke from Indonesian wildfires has paralyzed cities, sickened over 113,000 people, and spread across the region as residents feel powerless to escape.
- Title: Indonesia's wildfire haze chokes millions across Southeast…
- Summary: Toxic smoke from Indonesian wildfires has paralyzed cities, sickened over 113,000 people, and spread across the region as residents feel powerless to escape…
- Keywords: indonesia, wildfires, air pollution, borneo, west kalimantan, pontianak, el nino, southeast asia, malaysia, singapore, respiratory infections, climate change
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/16/breathing-toxin-every-day-indonesians-choked-by-haze-feel-helpless-as-smoke-drifts-into-malaysia-and-wider-se-asia/235450
- Published: 2026-09-16T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: indonesia, wildfires, air pollution, borneo, west kalimantan, pontianak, el nino, southeast asia, malaysia, singapore, respiratory infections, climate change
## Borneo burning, region choking
Wildfires ravaging Indonesia's Borneo island have blanketed Pontianak and spread toxic haze across Malaysia and Singapore. The air quality index briefly exceeded 1,100, nearly four times the hazardous limit.
## El Nino supercharges the fires
The powerful El Nino climate phenomenon, expected to be the strongest in four decades, has intensified this year's blazes. Experts also blame climate change, forest degradation, and slash-and-burn land clearing.
## Massive scale of destruction
Between January and July, over 202,000 hectares burned across Indonesia. Independent estimates put the figure closer to 300,000 for the same period, with nearly 896,000 hectares affected including August.
## Health crisis spreading fast
The health ministry recorded over 113,000 cases of upper respiratory tract infections across seven provinces since fires began early this year. Residents report stinging eyes, headaches, chest tightness, and dizziness.

> My eyes sting, my head hurts. Over the past week it's been getting worse.
## Parents forced to keep working
Working parents struggle with the choice between earning income and protecting their children from toxic air. Many send kids to daycare or school despite hazardous conditions, fearing financial ruin if they stay home.

> Even as an adult, I feel my head aching and dizzy because of the smoky air.
## Schools and businesses shut down
Children have stopped attending school for weeks, confined to rooms with air purifiers. The international airport in Pontianak was paralyzed over the weekend, and workers report lost income and closed businesses.
## Residents feel helpless and abandoned
Many Indonesians have stopped hoping for government intervention. One snack seller closed her business two weeks ago and now keeps windows sealed, describing daily life as breathing toxin.

> It's like we're breathing toxin every day.
## Authorities fighting back with limited tools
Local authorities are intensifying efforts including water bombing and cloud seeding to control fires. However, brief rainfall has only intensified the smoke rather than alleviating it.
## Seasonal fires becoming catastrophic
Indonesia regularly battles wildfires during the dry season from July to October, but this year's blazes are particularly severe. The combination of El Nino, climate change, and land-use practices has created unprecedented conditions.
## Key takeaway

Indonesia's worst wildfire season in decades, fueled by El Nino and climate change, is creating a regional health crisis with no quick fix in sight.