WorldIndonesia is facing its worst forest fires in a decade. The resulting air pollution has affected more than 250,000 people and spread to Singapore, Malaysia and East Timor. The report examines the government’s response and why the fires are so severe this year.
SocietyA rehabilitation center in the jungles of Indonesian Borneo is taking in more orangutans as the country’s worst wildfires in a decade sweep through the forest habitat of the critically endangered animals.
Reuters
SocietySingapore is gathering data while keeping open the possibility of legal action under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act against local firms linked to forest fires in Indonesia, Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu said on Oct. 14. The law criminalises conduct that causes or contributes to haze pollution in Singapore. N95 masks began going to vulnerable people after PM2.5 reached the very high range.
WorldFires burning for weeks in neighbouring Indonesia have blanketed Singapore and Malaysia in thick smog. Western Singapore’s one-hour PM2.5 reading reached 288 at 3pm local time, its highest since 2015 and within the “Very High” band. Readings later fell but remained unhealthy. Singapore has introduced additional measures, including distributing N95 masks to vulnerable people.
WorldToxic haze from Indonesian forest fires has spread across Southeast Asia, affecting Malaysia and Singapore and disrupting daily life, education and businesses. Schools in southern Malaysia have closed and moved to online learning, while thousands of firefighters in Indonesia battle the blazes.
WorldSevere haze from forest fires in Indonesia has again spread across Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia, raising serious concerns about public health and the regional economy. Dry El Niño conditions are worsening the situation, prompting neighbouring countries to urge Indonesia to contain the fires.
SocietyWildfires in Borneo destroyed habitat for endangered orangutans, prompting the relocation of eight animals to safety. Since August, West Kalimantan’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency and YIARI have rescued 46 orangutans affected by fires. Indonesia is confronting its most intense wildfires in 11 years, mainly in Sumatra and Borneo, and officials warn they could persist until November, worsened by El Niño.
Global News
World3:36Singapore Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu said on Saturday that Singapore had offered Indonesia help in addressing wildfires causing haze and had been in contact with Indonesia’s environment minister. She said measures were in place and Singapore would do what was needed to protect public health as the haze worsened.
WorldLarge fires across Indonesia are bringing severe air pollution to neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia. Singapore ranked as the world’s most polluted this week, while haze from the fires prompted school closures in several Malaysian states.
WorldWildfires in Indonesia have spread toxic haze across Southeast Asia, bringing Singapore’s air pollution to unhealthy levels and forcing schools in Malaysia to close. More than 200,000 hectares have burned, and over 170,000 people have suffered respiratory infections.
SocietyWorsening haze is covering Kuala Lumpur, while air quality has deteriorated in parts of Malaysia. Schools in southern Johor, which borders Singapore, have been ordered to close for two days.
The Associated Press
WorldMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says Indonesia agreed to take necessary steps to address haze caused by wildfires there, after he spoke with President Prabowo Subianto. Malaysia is closing more schools over health concerns, with institutions in areas where the Air Pollution Index exceeds 180 ordered shut from Oct. 9.
World1:08Indonesia is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, with about 1 million hectares burned so far this year. In Singapore, toxic smoke from the fires has shrouded iconic buildings; the report examines the haze’s effects across Southeast Asia.
BBC Chinese
WorldHelena Varkkey, an associate professor at Universiti Malaya, says ASEAN’s efforts to address the ongoing haze crisis are limited. She explains that regional action mainly depends on diplomacy and cooperation among member states, and discusses obstacles to stronger measures and El Niño’s role.
SocietyAbout 200 schools, kindergartens and nurseries in Batu Pahat, Johor, have been ordered to close as worsening haze pushed air quality close to the “very unhealthy” level on Wednesday. The district recorded Malaysia’s highest API reading, 197, at 6pm on Tuesday, while Johor remained among the states worst affected.
WorldIndonesia’s drive for food self-sufficiency and zero rice imports has come with a heavy environmental price linked to land burning, development and agricultural expansion. Intensifying El Niño-related drought has fueled widespread fires, ecological damage, cross-border haze and a public-health crisis. The podcast examines why the problem persists and how ASEAN countries might cooperate against the haze.
SocietySoutheast Asia has faced recurring haze for decades, with economic losses potentially reaching billions of dollars. The report examines why prevention remains difficult to fund and whether investing more before fires begin could ultimately cost less.
SocietySoutheast Asia has faced recurring haze for decades, with economic losses reaching billions of dollars. Indonesia’s 2015 fires were estimated to have cost its economy US$16.1 billion, while the 2019 fires caused a further US$5.2 billion in damage and losses. The report examines whether greater prevention spending could reduce those costs, why funding is difficult and who should pay.
WorldIndonesia is confronting its worst wildfires in more than a decade, with drought and intensifying El Niño conditions driving the crisis. In Borneo, local volunteers are battling flames threatening their homes, forests and communities as dry weather persists.
WorldSingapore and Malaysia are struggling with severe haze from wildfires in neighboring Indonesia, while air quality worsens sharply ahead of major sporting events.
Bloomberg Television
WorldSingapore woke to thick smoke and unhealthy air as wildfires continued to rage across Indonesia.
Reuters
WorldIndonesia is battling widespread forest fires that have covered Borneo and neighbouring countries in toxic haze, intensified by an unusually severe El Niño. Officials say 12.5 million people have been affected by smoke-related illnesses. Schools have moved classes online, clinics report more respiratory cases, and the haze has reached the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.
SocietyIndonesia's all-women 'Power of Mama' firefighting crew is working to save Borneo from wildfires described as the worst in more than a decade. Choking smoke has covered the skies and left local residents suffering from respiratory problems.
Reuters
SocietyPersistent smoke and fire-scorched peat swamps are threatening orangutans that survived blazes which destroyed parts of Indonesia’s West Kalimantan forests. Rescue teams from several organizations are trying to reach the great apes before it is too late.
The Associated Press