Indonesia wildfires and regional haze response

Indonesia faces its worst wildfire season since 2015, with El Niño-driven fires producing hazardous haze across Southeast Asia and prompting international aid offers.

6 stories40 sourcesUpdated Oct 26, 2026

In this storyline:Indonesian Singapore El Niño Southeast Asian haze Association of Southeast Asian Nations Southeast Asia Malaysia 2015 Southeast Asian haze

Indonesia wildfires and regional haze response — Photo: Rabmusgttotof / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Key developments

Oct 16, 2026
Indonesia faces its worst wildfire season since 2015, driven by El Niño drought and damaged peatlands.
8 sources on this →
Oct 17, 2026
The ASEAN weather center raised its highest haze alert for southern Southeast Asia as persistent Indonesian wildfires sent hazardous smoke across borders.
6 sources on this →
Oct 18, 2026
Wildfires Prompt Dozens of Orangutan Rescues in Indonesia.
5 sources on this →
Oct 24, 2026
Indonesia frees two orangutans rescued from plantation amid wildfires.
7 sources on this →

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Stories in this storyline

World

Five Baby Orangutans Found Far From Home Highlight India's Ape Trade

The discovery of five infant orangutans abandoned in Odisha, India, highlights the country’s growing role as a destination for illegally trafficked apes. Experts say wealthy collectors and gaps in regulation are helping fuel the trade, which threatens already critically endangered species.

7 sources

Environment

Indonesia frees two orangutans rescued from plantation amid wildfires

Indonesia released two rescued Bornean orangutans into the wild in West Kalimantan after they were found at an oil palm plantation. The release comes as fires displace orangutans and destroy habitat; conservationists report dozens rescued and say lasting protection of forests is essential alongside emergency care.

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Wildfires Prompt Dozens of Orangutan Rescues in Indonesia

Wildfires across Indonesia have driven conservation teams to rescue dozens of critically endangered orangutans, with eight rescued in West Kalimantan later released into protected forest after health checks. The fires have also spread hazardous haze across Southeast Asia, worsening respiratory problems, closing schools and disrupting thousands of flights.

5 sources

Environment

Indonesia Fires Trigger Highest ASEAN Haze Alert

ASMC raised southern ASEAN haze alert to Level 3, its highest, on Oct. 16, 2026—the third time this year—as Singapore ranked the world's second-most polluted major city.

6 sources

Environment

Indonesia approves foreign aid against regional wildfires

President Prabowo approved foreign aid for Indonesia's worst forest fires in over a decade; Nasir said BNPB is handling technical talks after Malaysia offered aircraft, helicopters and 52 firefighters.

7 sources

World

Indonesia’s Worst Wildfires Since 2015 Spread Regional Haze

Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season since 2015, as El Niño-driven drought and damaged peatlands fuel fires that have produced hazardous air pollution, widespread respiratory illness and disruption across the country. Smoke has spread to neighboring countries, prompting school closures, while Indonesian officials say they will restore degraded peatlands and Singapore is weighing penalties against companies responsible for the haze.

8 sources