40 Million People Breathing Toxic Smoke as Indonesia Fights Spreading Blazes
Indonesia is currently facing its worst wildfire season in over a decade. Driven by a severe dry season and further by the El Niño weather phenomenon, fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan have consumed over 1.9 million hectares of land in the first nine months of 2026, according to the Nusantara Atlas wildfire monitor.
As blazes continue to spread, an estimated 40 million people are breathing in thick, toxic smoke. According to Greenpeace Indonesia, many residents across Borneo and Sumatra have been exposed to hazardous air quality for two full months.
Severe Health Crisis and Rising Casualty Toll
The environmental crisis has created an unprecedented public health emergency. As of October 13, reports from Mongabay indicate that 283,270 respiratory illness cases have been documented across seven affected provinces. The persistent smoke has caused widespread coughing, reduced immunity, and severe respiratory distress. In Palangkaraya, PM2.5 levels hit a hazardous 308.
The blazes have also proven deadly for emergency responders. On October 15, four firefighters tragically lost their lives while battling blazes in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, leaving two others severely burned.
Regional Haze, School Closures, and Economic Disruption
The impact of the Indonesian fires extends far beyond national borders. Smoke and haze have drifted into neighboring countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor Leste.
To protect public health, schools across the region have been forced to close. Aviation has been heavily disrupted, with more than 2,000 flights canceled, delayed, or diverted since August.
Threat to Wildlife and Essential Ecosystems
Forests that once supplied vital oxygen are now endangering surrounding communities and native wildlife. Local ecosystems are suffering severe damage, leaving animals vulnerable to toxic conditions. In Palangkaraya, a local rehabilitation center is actively treating 47 orangutans for acute respiratory disease caused by heavy smoke inhalation.
Cracking Down on "Ecological Terrorism"
Authorities are taking legal action to address the root causes of the disaster. Police have launched hundreds of criminal investigations into illegal land clearing through burning. President Prabowo has condemned the practice, labeling the intentional burnings as "ecological terrorism" as firefighting teams continue their efforts to bring the active fires under control.
Sources: Mongabay, AFP via Manila Times, Al Jazeera
