Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region

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1. 1h ago

   Indonesia deploys dry ice to combat worst wildfires in 11 years

   Indonesia is launching a pilot project to disperse toxic haze by dropping dry ice from planes over South Sumatra. This experimental measure follows failed attempts with water bombing and cloud seeding. The wildfires are the worst in 11 years, causing a regional crisis as smoke drifts into Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor. Tens of thousands of people have sought medical treatment for respiratory illnesses. While the president is open to foreign aid, the government faces criticism for delays in its response to the disaster.

   Why it matters

   Satellite data shows wildfires burned more than 1.9 million hectares in the first nine months of 2026. The crisis has caused significant loss of life, including four people killed in Mount Bromo national park. This environmental disaster threatens the health of millions across Southeast Asia.

   What is confirmed

   • Wildfires in Indonesia have burned more than 1.9 million hectares in the first nine months of 2026.
   • Four firefighters and volunteers died after being trapped by a wildfire in Mount Bromo national park.
   • Toxic haze from the fires has spread into Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor.
   • Indonesia is testing the use of dry ice dropped from aircraft in South Sumatra to clear haze.
   • These are the worst forest fires Indonesia has faced in over a decade.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Indonesian government is facing backlash for delaying its battle against the fires and haze.
   • Tens of thousands of people have sought treatment for respiratory illnesses linked to the haze.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the dry ice pilot project in South Sumatra
   • Confirmation of foreign assistance arrivals
   • Updates on total hectares burned beyond the nine-month mark
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. www.thestar.com.my — Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (Oct 14, 2026)
   2. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
   3. BBC — Desperate to clear toxic haze, Indonesia douses its skies with dry ice
   4. The Guardian — Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region
   5. Al Jazeera — Four killed as Indonesia battles worst forest fires in more than a decade
   6. AP News — Wildfire traps firefighters and volunteers in Indonesia’s Mount Bromo national park, killing 4
   7. Reuters — Indonesia's president ready to accept foreign assistance to combat fires, foreign minister says
   8. Financial Times — ‘We have to live with it’: Indonesia’s worst fires in years wreak havoc
   9. english.aawsat.com — 'We've Never Had This': Bear Sightings Spook Russia
   10. www.independent.co.uk — Indonesia to try dousing skies with dry ice in radical ...
   11. www.abc.net.au — Indonesia to deploy dry ice to reduce thick haze from fires
   12. www.irishexaminer.com — Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region - Irish Examiner
   confidence 95%