Indonesia warns against starting open blazes as haze from wildfires spreads to Malaysia

Indonesia has warned against starting open fires as blazes on Borneo and elsewhere have caused a thick haze that has reached Malaysia. These fires, concentrated in Borneo, have been ignited by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season. Up to 5,000 hot spots have been recorded by Indonesia's Forestry Ministry. Smoke from the fires has reduced visibility to just 1 to 10 meters in some areas, causing traffic accidents and flight delays.

Schools in Malaysia's Sarawak state have been closed due to unhealthy air quality readings. Indonesian authorities have detained 12 arson suspects and vowed strict legal action against anyone responsible for forest destruction.