South-east Asia choked in haze as Indonesia wildfires spread
- Posted on September 5, 2026
- By Financial Times
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
Southeast Asia faces an unprecedented air quality crisis as massive wildfires sweep across Indonesia, exacerbated by the strengthening El Niño climate pattern. The combination of illegal deforestation activities and severe drought conditions has created a perfect storm for widespread blazes that blanket the region in thick haze. Environmental experts warn that this environmental disaster threatens millions of residents across neighboring countries, disrupting daily life, affecting respiratory health, and causing significant economic losses to the region's tourism and agricultural sectors.
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