'Very Dangerous': Timor-Leste Shuts Schools over Indonesia Haze
Singapore’s air quality hit its highest level this year as Indonesian wildfires sent toxic haze across the region and prompted a three-day school closure in East Timor.
- On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Singapore recorded its highest pollution levels this year, while East Timor announced schools will close for three days starting Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Indonesia is battling its most intense wildfire season in 11 years, fueled by El Nino-related drought and slash-and-burn land-clearing practices that have altered the landscape of Sumatra and Borneo islands.
- Singapore's National Environment Agency reported PM2.5 levels hit 284 micrograms per cubic metre, entering the "very high" band, while nearly 1,000 residents fled fires that destroyed nearly 300 homes in Bangka Belitung province.
- Malaysian lawmaker Syed Saddiq Rahman urged Southeast Asian nations to lodge a "diplomatic protest" against Jakarta, calling for regional banks to cut financing to companies linked to land burning.
- Jakarta has mobilized more than 69,000 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes, though disaster mitigation spokesperson Berton Panjaitan said "We must recognise that the only way to resolve this is through sustained rainfall.
91 Articles
91 Articles
The fires that continue to rage in Indonesia, with a still critical situation in Kalimantan, plunge the entire region into a major atmospheric crisis, forcing East Timor to close schools.
Indonesia's skies turn apocalyptic orange as smoke blankets Singapore
Apocalyptic orange skies engulf Palangkaraya in Indonesia, while Singapore's famous Marina Bay Sands nearly disappears behind thick smoke. Months of wildfires have triggered an air pollution crisis across Southeast Asia.
Video. Indonesia's skies turn apocalyptic orange as smoke blankets Singapore
Video. Apocalyptic orange skies engulf Palangkaraya in Indonesia, while Singapore's famous Marina Bay Sands nearly disappears behind thick smoke. Months of wildfires have triggered an air pollution crisis across Southeast Asia.
Fire smoke in Indonesia triggers pollution in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. East Timor suspends classes in the face of deteriorating air quality.
Huge forest fires and air pollution in Indonesia have now also had consequences for neighboring countries
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
