Indonesia Fires Trigger Highest Haze Alert Across Southeast Asia
Fires in Indonesia have triggered the highest-level regional alert for dangerous haze, as toxic smoke continues to affect communities across Southeast Asia.
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre activated Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region on Friday, warning of a high risk of severe haze spreading across national borders. The alert is the highest level in its four-tier system.
According to AFP, the prolonged pollution has disrupted daily life in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste. Schools have closed, respiratory problems have increased, and residents have been forced to limit outdoor activities.
Air quality in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur reached very hazardous levels on Saturday, while communities in Indonesia reported health problems and lost income as thick smoke affected daily work.
Indonesia has attempted to disperse the haze using dry ice released from aircraft over South Sumatra. The country’s disaster mitigation agency said smoke was reducing visibility, disrupting aviation and threatening public health.
Singapore has also announced plans to issue warnings to seven Indonesian companies it identified as responsible for fires. Regional officials are expected to discuss the cross-border haze ahead of the ASEAN summit in Manila next month.
The crisis has renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation to control fires and protect public health, as millions of people continue to face polluted air.
