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Indonesia struggles with forest fires, forcing school closures amid severe haze
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Indonesia struggles with forest fires, forcing school closures amid severe haze

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesia is grappling with widespread forest fires, leading to severe haze and the closure of dozens of schools.
  • The country is experiencing a prolonged dry season, exacerbated by El Niño, with over 50,000 firefighters deployed.
  • The fires are spreading across the country, particularly in Kalimantan, causing significant environmental and social disruption.

Dozens of schools in Indonesia have been forced to close for a second day due to choking haze from escalating forest fires across the nation. The worsening air quality has disrupted education as the country battles the environmental crisis.

Indonesia is currently enduring a long dry season, a period typically prone to fires. This year, the situation is compounded by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which has intensified the drought conditions. In response, more than 50,000 firefighters have been mobilized nationwide in an effort to combat the numerous blazes.

The fires are spreading rapidly, with significant outbreaks reported in Kalimantan and other regions. The thick haze blankets communities, impacting public health and daily life. Authorities are working tirelessly to contain the fires, but the scale of the disaster presents a formidable challenge.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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