Indonesia wildfires trigger highest-level haze alert in parts of Southeast Asia

Summary

Parts of southern Southeast Asia have been placed under the highest-level haze alert as months-long wildfires in Indonesia continue to send toxic smoke across the region, France 24 reports. It says drought conditions linked to a severe super-El Niño effect have worsened this year's seasonal fires. This follows earlier reports of orange skies in Indonesia and haze-related school closures in East Timor.

Timeline

1. France 24

   18 Oct 2026, 06:30 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that months-long Indonesian wildfires are spreading toxic haze across the region, with parts of southern Southeast Asia under the highest-level alert, and says drought linked to a severe super-El Niño has worsened the fires.