‘Like smoking a cigarette’: Indonesia chokes on haze as blazes intensify amid super ‘El Niño’
Indonesia is battling intensifying wildfires across multiple provinces, driven by a super El Nino event. The government has prioritized the Kalimantan region as hotspots rise and expanded aerial firefighting operations to contain the blazes. Severe haze has left citizens describing the air quality as being like smoking a cigarette, leading some to gather and pray for rain. Law enforcement has shifted toward criminal accountability, with police arresting 72 people suspected of intentionally starting the forest fires.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Indonesia is experiencing intensifying wildfires driven by El Nino.
- ✓ Aerial firefighting operations have been intensified across multiple provinces.
What changed
Indonesian police arrested 72 suspects for starting forest fires while the government prioritized the Kalimantan region.
Live updates
-
Indonesia Intensifies Wildfire Response Amid El Nino Haze
Indonesia is battling intensifying wildfires across multiple provinces, driven by a super El Nino event. The government has prioritized the Kalimantan region as hotspots rise and expanded aerial firefighting operations to contain the blazes. Severe haze has left citizens describing the air quality as being like smoking a cigarette, leading some to gather and pray for rain. Law enforcement has shifted toward criminal accountability, with police arresting 72 people suspected of intentionally starting the forest fires.
Why it matters
El Nino typically brings drier conditions to Southeast Asia, increasing the risk of peatland and forest fires. These blazes create transboundary haze that impacts public health and regional air quality.
What is confirmed
- Indonesia is experiencing intensifying wildfires driven by El Nino.
- Aerial firefighting operations have been intensified across multiple provinces.
Still unconfirmed
- 72 people were arrested by police for suspected arson.
- The Kalimantan region is being prioritized due to rising wildfire hotspots.
What to watch next
- Reports on the number of arrests as investigations continue
- Weather updates regarding rainfall to mitigate El Nino conditions
- Official air quality index readings for the Kalimantan region
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (6)
- AP News — Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
- Reuters — Indonesia prioritises Kalimantan region as wildfire hotspots rise
- The New York Times — Gripped by El Niño, Indonesia Battles Intensifying Wildfires
- AP News — Indonesia intensifies aerial firefighting as forest fires scorch multiple provinces
- The Guardian — ‘Like smoking a cigarette’: Indonesia chokes on haze as blazes intensify amid super ‘El Niño’
- NPR — Indonesians brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community