South-east Asia choked in haze as Indonesia wildfires spread
Toxic wildfire haze from Indonesia is blanketing Southeast Asia, reaching parts of Malaysia and the Philippines. A "super" El Nino has intensified the blazes, which have destroyed precious forests and darkened skies. In Borneo, firefighting crews have been battling the flames for three months. The fires have consumed an area four times the size of Singapore and are now spreading near Indonesia's new capital city. NASA Earthdata and NASA Science report that peatland fires are contributing to the regional air quality crisis.
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- ✓ A "super" El Nino is intensifying toxic wildfire haze across Southeast Asia.
- ✓ Wildfires in Indonesia have burned an area four times the size of Singapore.
- ✓ Haze from the fires has blanketed parts of the Philippines and Malaysia.
- ✓ NASA reports that peatland fires are darkening skies in Indonesia.
What changed
Wildfires have now reached the vicinity of Indonesia's new capital city.
Live updates
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Indonesia Wildfires Spread Toxic Haze Across Southeast Asia
Toxic wildfire haze from Indonesia is blanketing Southeast Asia, reaching parts of Malaysia and the Philippines. A "super" El Nino has intensified the blazes, which have destroyed precious forests and darkened skies. In Borneo, firefighting crews have been battling the flames for three months. The fires have consumed an area four times the size of Singapore and are now spreading near Indonesia's new capital city. NASA Earthdata and NASA Science report that peatland fires are contributing to the regional air quality crisis.
Why it matters
Peatland fires are particularly destructive because they burn deep underground and release massive amounts of carbon. The current drought conditions are driven by a powerful El Nino weather pattern. This environmental crisis threatens regional health and biodiversity.
What is confirmed
- A "super" El Nino is intensifying toxic wildfire haze across Southeast Asia.
- Wildfires in Indonesia have burned an area four times the size of Singapore.
- Haze from the fires has blanketed parts of the Philippines and Malaysia.
- NASA reports that peatland fires are darkening skies in Indonesia.
- Firefighting crews on Borneo have been battling blazes for three months.
What to watch next
- Official government response to fires near the new capital
- Updates on air quality indices in Malaysia and the Philippines
- NASA satellite data on total acreage burned
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (10)
- BBC — Toxic wildfire haze spreads across South East Asia as 'super' El Niño intensifies
- NASA Earthdata (.gov) — Wildland Fires in Indonesia, August 2026
- NASA Science (.gov) — Peatland Fires Darken Skies in Indonesia
- BBC — Indonesia wildfire live updates: Toxic haze spreads as 'super' El Niño intensifies
- The New York Times — Haze From Indonesian Wildfires Blankets Parts of Malaysia, Philippines
- ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Area four times size of Singapore burns in Indonesia's wildfires
- Reuters — Wildfires spread near Indonesia's new capital, prompting calls for action
- Financial Times — South-east Asia choked in haze as Indonesia wildfires spread
- theguardian.com — El Nino-fuelled wildfires destroy precious Indonesian forests – in pictures
- www.abc.net.au — Indonesian wildfires spurred by super El Niño choke South-East Asia
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