Smoke from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia has led to hazardous air quality in parts of Malaysian Borneo, resulting in a rise in respiratory illnesses and the cancellation of outdoor Independence Day celebrations. The smoke, originating from Kalimantan in Indonesia, has affected the Malaysian state of Sarawak and has also reached peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. This situation marks the worst haze episode since 2015, when similar fires caused widespread health issues.
On August 29, six areas in Sarawak reported hazardous air quality with readings above 300 on Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index, which categorizes anything above 100 as unhealthy. Kuching, the state capital, recorded an index of 407, while Serian reached 408.
Residents have reported severe impacts on health. Mia Emylia Hassan, a mother in Kuching, described the air quality as thick with smoke, affecting her infant daughter’s recovery from a lung infection. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health noted a significant increase in respiratory illnesses, with asthma cases rising from 219 to 1,811 in just one week.
In peninsular Malaysia, Karen-Michaela Tan, an asthma patient, reported needing multiple nebulizer treatments to manage her symptoms. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has issued a Level 3 transboundary haze alert, indicating a high risk of severe haze due to an increase in fire hotspots and prolonged dry weather linked to an intensifying El Nino weather pattern.
The haze has led to the cancellation of outdoor Independence Day events in Sarawak, with officials warning of potential further restrictions. Douglas Uggah Embas, the deputy premier, stated that areas with air quality readings above 500 will be declared under local emergency, closing all non-essential services.
Schools have also been affected, with nearly 600 schools in and around Kuching closing due to the hazardous conditions, impacting around 200,000 students. Youth sports activities have been suspended as well, with coaches prioritizing player health.
In Indonesia, the situation is more severe, with the deputy health minister reporting that approximately 13,500 people were treated for respiratory infections in July and August. Over 5.5 million people in Borneo and Sumatra have been exposed to the smoke. Fires in Indonesia have burned over 200,000 hectares from January to July, with nearly 95,000 hectares burned in July alone. Despite control efforts, the fires continue to escalate.
Hotspots in West Kalimantan have increased significantly, with air quality readings in Palangkaraya reaching 780 on the IQAir index. The fires are primarily set for agricultural purposes, and Indonesian police have arrested 72 individuals suspected of starting these fires.
Experts warn that the ongoing El Nino conditions will exacerbate the situation, leading to hotter and drier weather, which could prolong the fire season. Jayaprakash Muralitharan, an atmospheric scientist, indicated that the worst conditions may still be ahead, as the extreme drying of peatland can lead to persistent fires. Until significant rainfall occurs, the situation is expected to continue.