‘Looks like Mars’: Toxic smog from Indonesia wildfires sparks health crisis, protests

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Indonesia Wildfires Trigger Regional Health Crisis and Diplomatic Tensions

   Toxic smog from El Nino-driven wildfires in Indonesia has blanketed Southeast Asia, killing 3,500 to 3,560 people in September alone. The crisis has sparked widespread protests and strained relations with Malaysia and Singapore, leading to export curbs. While rainfall is expected to ease haze in neighboring countries and overall hotspots have fallen, underground peat blazes persist. The Indonesian government has resisted declaring the situation a national emergency despite a 42 percent surge in air pollution deaths during September.

   Why it matters

   The fires are burning through peatlands, releasing centuries of stored carbon into the atmosphere. This event is described as the worst wildfire activity the country has seen in a decade. The resulting haze has caused severe respiratory issues, including pneumonia in children.

   What is confirmed

   • Wildfires in Indonesia have caused toxic smog to spread across Southeast Asia.
   • Between 3,500 and 3,560 people died from wildfire smoke in Indonesia during September.
   • The wildfires are driven by El Nino and involve the burning of peatlands.
   • The haze has triggered diplomatic tensions and export curbs involving Singapore and Malaysia.
   • Protests have broken out in response to the smog and health crisis.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Air pollution deaths surged by 42 percent in September.

   What to watch next

   • Whether the Indonesian government declares a national emergency for karhutla.
   • The impact of forecasted rain on haze levels in Singapore and Malaysia.
   • Long-term health assessments of residents exposed to the toxic smog.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. www.nbcnews.com — NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S....
   2. NBC News — ‘Looks like Mars’: Toxic smog from Indonesia wildfires sparks health crisis, protests
   3. Reuters — Indonesia sends oxygen bus to aid residents choking on forest fire haze
   4. South China Morning Post — 3,560 lives lost to ‘avoidable’ Indonesia wildfire smoke crisis in September
   5. The Conversation — Indonesia’s El Niño-driven peat fires are choking the region – and releasing centuries of stored carbon
   6. The Spokesman-Review — Indonesia Rain Set to Ease Toxic Haze in Singapore, Malaysia
   7. World Council of Churches — WCC sends pastoral letter to churches and people of Indonesia affected by forest fires
   8. Al Jazeera — Smoke from wildfires killed 3,500 people in Indonesia in September: Report
   9. PBS — School principal documents Indonesia's worst wildfires in a decade
   10. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air — Indonesia’s air pollution deaths surged by 42% in September as government resists declaring 'karhutla' a national emergency
   11. Malay Mail — Indonesia’s fire hotspots fall sharply, but underground peat blazes persist
   12. news - Mongabay — Experts warn of long-term health risks as Indonesia’s wildfire haze takes a growing toll
   confidence 90%