Indonesia's Wildfire Haze Causes Severe Health Risks Amid 'Super' El Niño

Ongoing wildfires in Indonesia, intensified by a 'super' El Niño event, are generating widespread haze and posing significant long-term health risks. Fires have impacted approximately 1.9 million hectares of land between January and September 2026, a 38% increase compared to 2019. Short-term exposure to fine-particle pollution from these fires is estimated to have contributed to 3,560 deaths in September 2026 alone.