A thick, toxic haze from wildfires is spreading across Southeast Asia, according to BBC reporting. The smoke is moving as a powerful El Niño weather pattern intensifies, worsening air quality conditions across the region.
The fires are concentrated in Indonesia, where BBC reports dry conditions linked to the climate phenomenon have left forests vulnerable. The resulting smoke has drifted over neighboring countries, creating hazardous breathing conditions for millions of people. The Guardian has published images showing the destruction of precious Indonesian forestland, while the Financial Times notes that volcanic ash is also mixing with the wildfire smoke in the region.
The El Niño event has been described as a "super" version of the climate pattern, according to BBC. ABC News reports that the devastating season has caused water sources to dry up in Indonesia, compounding the challenges faced by communities already dealing with fire and smoke. BBC has also highlighted the work of volunteer crews who are risking their lives to defuse what they describe as "carbon bombs"—peatland fires that release massive amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.
The haze is a recurring problem for Southeast Asia, but the intensity of this year's fires appears tied to the strength of the current El Niño. The dry weather it brings strips moisture from vegetation and soil, making landscapes far more susceptible to burning. Officials and experts are watching whether the pattern will continue to strengthen in the coming weeks.
What to watch next: whether the El Niño continues to intensify and how far the haze will travel across the region.
