Millions of people in Southeast Asia are currently exposed to hazardous levels of air pollution as the large-scale haze caused by Indonesian wildfires crosses boundaries, leading to cancelled outdoor activities and school closures.  

Indonesia alone has recorded 50,000 cases of respiratory infections linked to land and forest fires between July and August this year, according to data from its health ministry.

Fires have been particularly intense across parts of Borneo, including West Kalimantan, generating substantial smoke emissions that have been transported to neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

“Indonesia has experienced a particularly intense start to its seasonal fires, with the number of fires and their emissions increasing rapidly since late July. This is unfolding against the backdrop of strong El Niño conditions, which can influence rainfall and intensify conditions across the region,” said Mark Parrington, Senior Scientist at Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).

European Union’s CAMS is closely tracking fire emissions from Indonesia and the transport of smoke across the region.

Also read: El Niño Forecast to Be Strongest on Record, Threatening Extreme Weather Through 2027

Increased fire activity since July 2026

The fire activity in Indonesia has increased since July this year, coinciding with the country’s dry season, which typically runs from late July to late October. Strong El Niño conditions, which tend to bring extreme weather events globally, have further intensified fire activity.

Indonesia has recorded its highest August total estimated fire emissions in the past 24 years, resulting in large-scale transboundary haze.

“Particularly notable is the scale of the transboundary haze, which is already significantly impacting air quality across Southeast Asia and could persist for several weeks if the fire emissions continue to increase, as would be expected through September into October. These fires demonstrate that wildfires are not a localised challenge – their impacts can extend hundreds of miles from the source,” Parrington said. 

The wildfire emissions significantly increase concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), one of the pollutants most harmful to human health, among many other toxic and harmful pollutants.

Globally, wildfire emissions increased in August 2026, with smoke from fires in North America and Eurasia being transported as far as the Northern Hemisphere, including the Arctic.

Image Credits: Fire Emissions Watch application, Copernicus, Copernicus/X.