Haze from Indonesian wildfires has spread to Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia, impacting air quality. Singapore experienced unhealthy levels on September 4th, ranking third globally for air quality by IQAir. Philippine authorities declared air quality in parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as “acutely unhealthy.” In Malaysia’s Sarawak state, the capital Kuching has been the world’s most polluted city this week, leading to a state of emergency in Serian district.
Cases of asthma rose by 259% and upper respiratory tract infections by 124% in Malaysia in one week in late August due to the haze. Brunei has also experienced hazy conditions since mid-August. These fires are occurring amid an “El Niño” event, contributing to dry conditions. As of September 3rd, over 444,200 fire hotspots have been detected across Indonesia, a significant increase from July 27th. Indonesian officials attribute the fires to individuals or corporations, with reports indicating recurring fire sites.
Source: Mongabay