Indonesia is facing one of its most severe wildfire crises in more than a decade, with intense fires across Borneo and Sumatra generating thick smoke and hazardous air pollution. The latest situation is particularly serious in West Kalimantan, where the city of Pontianak has been heavily affected by the haze.

Indonesian health ministry data shows that more than 12.5 million people across seven provinces have been exposed to wildfire-related haze. The number of people suffering from respiratory illnesses linked to the fires reached 113,336 by September 9, more than double the 50,891 cases recorded on September 1.

The worsening conditions have been associated with unusually hot and dry weather linked to “super El Niño” conditions, which have made forests and peatlands more vulnerable to fires. West Kalimantan has emerged as one of the areas facing the strongest impact.

The environmental effects are extending beyond Indonesia’s borders. Smoke has crossed into Malaysia and Singapore, where authorities have reported deteriorating air quality. The regional haze contains smoke, soot and fine particles that can pose significant risks to people exposed for extended periods.

Indonesia’s firefighting response has been intensified. More than 50 aircraft are being used for firefighting operations and cloud seeding, while Japan has provided three CH-47 Chinook helicopters and personnel to support efforts in West Kalimantan.

The scale of the fires is also reflected in emissions data. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Fire Emissions Watch, Indonesia’s wildfire emissions reached 19.7 million metric tons during the week ending September 7, representing more than one-third of the estimated global total for that period.

The crisis is developing during the early part of Indonesia’s fire season, meaning authorities are closely monitoring whether continued dry conditions could allow the fires and haze to persist into the coming weeks.