Indonesia Peat Fires 2026: Worst Haze Crisis in a Decade
BBC visits central Kalimantan in Indonesia to investigate the worst wildfire season in a decade, spreading toxic haze to Singapore and Malaysia.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- BBC visits central Kalimantan in Borneo as Indonesia faces its worst wildfire season in a decade.
- Toxic haze from the blazes chokes millions of residents and spreads across international borders.
- Neighbouring countries including Singapore and Malaysia are heavily impacted by the regional air pollution.
- Reporter Liza Tambunan explains the unique nature of peat and why peatland fires are difficult to contain.
Environmental conditions in Southeast Asia have reached a critical juncture as Indonesia struggles to contain its most severe wildfire season in a decade, threatening fragile peatland ecosystems and endangering the health of millions across the region.
Liza Tambunan, a correspondent for the BBC, traveled directly to central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, Indonesia, to report from the frontline of the raging wildfires that have unleashed a toxic haze across the area.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The devastating fallout from the thick smoke has not remained contained within Indonesian borders. Prevailing winds have carried the hazardous haze across international lines, directly impacting air quality and daily life for residents in neighboring Singapore and Malaysia.
Peatlands are unique wetland ecosystems formed by the accumulation of partially decayed organic matter over thousands of years. During prolonged dry spells, these organic layers dry out completely, turning the soil itself into a potent fuel source. Unlike conventional surface vegetation fires, peat fires burn both above and beneath the surface, generating intense heat and smoldering underground for weeks, making them exceptionally difficult to extinguish.
Amidst these hazardous conditions, the BBC team has broken down the complex science behind why peat fires prove to be uniquely devastating and why firefighting efforts face extreme challenges when attempting to contain subterranean blazes.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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