RMF241 hour agoEnvironment1 min read

Alarm in parts of Asia. The highest rank has been announced

Quick Look

The ASEAN Meteorological Center in Singapore has issued the highest alert level for the southern part of the region due to the high risk of thick, toxic smog from persistent wildfires in Indonesia.
Smoke from fires in Sumatra, Borneo and New Guinea is reaching Malaysia and Singapore, with the situation intensified by the El Nino phenomenon.
Singapore authorities reported that the fires broke out in areas managed by seven companies in Sumatra, which were obliged to stop burning forests and take fire-fighting measures.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Wildfires in Indonesia regularly occur during the dry season from April to October, but have intensified this year due to the El Nino weather phenomenon. Similar warnings about the highest smog alert level have already been issued twice this year - in March and August.

Font size

Highest alert level. High risk

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Meteorological Center based in Singapore announced that the highest alert level was announced for the southern part of the region on Friday. This means a high risk of dense, toxic smog.

The alarm is announced, among others: if intense fires and heavy smoke persist for at least two days, as well as winds carrying pollutants to neighboring ASEAN countries.

As AFP recalled, similar warnings have been issued twice this year - in March and August.

Massive fires in Indonesia

For several weeks, extensive fires have been devastating the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Borneo and New Guinea. Toxic smoke reaches, among others, to Malaysia and Singapore.

Fires regularly occur in Indonesia during the dry season, which usually lasts from April to October, but have intensified this year due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.

On Friday, the Singapore authorities announced that the fires broke out, among others, in areas managed by seven companies in Sumatra, Indonesia. Companies were obliged to stop burning forests and take fire-fighting measures, reported the Singapore daily Straits Times.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The fires and associated smog will continue for weeks until the end of Indonesia's dry season.
Likely · Within weeks
Singapore authorities may introduce additional precautions for residents, such as stay-at-home orders or the distribution of face masks.
Possible · Within days

Open Questions

How long will the current smog alert level last?
What specific firefighting actions will be taken by the seven companies in Sumatra?
Will the situation lead to sanctions or international pressure on Indonesia to prevent future fires?