Intense Forest Fires Spread Across Indonesia Amid Severe El Niño
What happened
Indonesia is battling its most intense forest and land fires since 2015, driven by a severe El Niño that has increased temperatures and reduced rainfall. While Sumatra and Kalimantan are the worst affected, fires have also spread to Sulawesi and Muna Island. Smoke and heat from the wildfires risk accelerating the deterioration of ancient cave paintings in South Sulawesi.
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Why it matters
The fires are intensifying regional environmental risks, particularly across Borneo. The crisis is coupled between Sumatra and Kalimantan through a shared regional fire and haze issue.
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Who's involved
- IndonesiaThe nation battling the intense forest and land fires.
- SumatraAn island region severely affected by the fires.
- KalimantanAn island region severely affected by the fires.
- El NinoThe climate phenomenon driving high temperatures and low rainfall.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Ministry of TradeSpeculative
The Ministry of Trade might monitor supply disruptions caused by fires in Kalimantan.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Indonesian fires may cause cross-border haze affecting MalaysiaCross-border haze from Indonesian fires may impact Malaysia's air quality.Likely
- Widespread fires threaten Borneo's environment and ancient heritageWidespread fires threaten Borneo's environment and ancient heritageLikely
- Indonesian fires may affect Singapore's air quality and weatherIndonesian fires may impact Singapore's air quality and weatherLikely
- How could the intense forest and land fires affect National Disaster Management Agency?The massive fire crisis increases the operational burden on the National Disaster Management Agency.Likely
- Fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan may disrupt indonesian tradeFires in Sumatra and Kalimantan may disrupt Indonesian trade and supply chainsLikely
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The entities involved
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Indonesia
island country in Southeast Asia and Oceania
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Kalimantan
Indonesian part of the island of Borneo
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Sumatra
island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands
Related events
- Fires are actively affecting multiple provinces including South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, Riau, Jambi, South Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.
- Wildfires raged on Borneo island, spewing putrid haze that spread across the region.
- Smoke from forest fires originating in Kalimantan is now traveling to Jakarta.
- Fire broke out near border districts in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Indonesia faces multiple simultaneous crises, including a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara and severe haze/fires in Central Kalimantan.