Indonesian Wildfires Cause Severe Haze, Raising Pollution Levels in Singapore; East Timor Closes Schools for Three Days

Smoke and haze from wildfires raging across Indonesia have pushed pollution levels in Singapore to the highest this year, while East Timor has decided to close schools for three days. Cross-border air pollution is set to be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting next month, increasing regional pressure on Indonesia. (October 16, Kathmandu)

As the long-lasting wildfires intensify, the smoke and haze spreading from Indonesia have affected various Southeast Asian countries. Singapore’s air pollution reached its peak levels this year, and East Timor has opted to suspend in-person classes for three days. According to Reuters, on Wednesday, the PM2.5 measurement in western Singapore rose to 284 micrograms per cubic meter for one hour, placing it in the “hazardous” category set by Singapore’s national environment agency.

East Timor’s government announced that due to pollutants from wildfires either in neighboring areas or within its own territory, schools will halt direct teaching from October 15 for three days. Although Indonesia is not explicitly named in the official statement, East Timor’s main island is adjacent to Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province. Indonesia is currently facing its worst wildfires in 11 years, leading to a significant surge in respiratory illnesses.

By October 12, respiratory cases related to the fires and haze had reached 277,075 across seven Indonesian provinces. Local media have released footage showing thick yellow haze engulfing the city of Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has instructed the deployment of additional resources to control the wildfires.

According to a spokesperson for the Disaster Management Agency, controlling fires beneath the surface in peat soil—organic, swampy earth—is particularly challenging. These underground fires can smolder for extended periods and may reignite anytime. Diplomatic pressure on Indonesia is mounting rapidly, with plans to raise the issue of transboundary air pollution at the upcoming ASEAN summit.