Indonesian authorities have issued a stern warning that they will prosecute anyone caught starting open fires, as massive blazes on Borneo and other regions blanket cities in a choking haze and send thick smoke drifting into neighboring Malaysia.
Driven by a prolonged dry season and an intensifying El Nino weather pattern, the fires have rapidly escalated. Indonesia's Forestry Ministry detected 11,908 hot spots nationwide within a single 24-hour period, nearly doubling the 6,352 recorded the previous day. More than 5,000 of these hot spots were located on Borneo, the world's third-largest island, which is shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. According to the forest-monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas, approximately 182,000 hectares (450,000 acres) burned in July alone, which is nearly double the area scorched during the entire first half of the year. This brings the total burned area for the year to about 285,000 hectares (704,000 acres).
In the Indonesian territory of Kalimantan, which covers about three-quarters of Borneo, visibility has dropped to between 1 and 10 meters (yards) in some heavily affected areas. The dense smoke has caused traffic accidents, delayed multiple flights, and forced drivers to keep their headlights on during the day. Residents, including schoolchildren, have resorted to wearing masks outdoors, with social media platforms filling with complaints of breathing difficulties and fears of illness.
The transboundary haze has also severely impacted Malaysia's eastern state of Sarawak. On Friday, one Sarawak district recorded "very unhealthy" air quality, while eight others registered "unhealthy" levels. The deteriorating air quality prompted the Sarawak government to close nearly 600 schools, disrupting education for approximately 200,000 students.
In response to the crisis, law enforcement has begun cracking down on illegal land clearing and arson, which authorities say are frequently used to clear land for plantations or agriculture. In Central Kalimantan, Police Chief Iwan Kurniawan announced that investigators have detained 12 suspects over the past week. "Every forest and land fire incident in Central Kalimantan is investigated," Kurniawan stated, noting that teams are working to establish the causes and hold those responsible accountable.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who toured fire-damaged areas near the provincial capital of Palangka Raya on Wednesday, promised that the government would show no leniency to those responsible for the destruction. "Whoever they are, big or small, without exception, anyone who destroys nature and forests will face strict legal action," Antoni warned.
Severe fire seasons and transboundary haze are recurring issues for Indonesia, particularly when fires are set in the highly flammable peatlands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, periodically enveloping parts of Southeast Asia in hazardous smoke.
