Indonesia wildfire haze darkens skies, closes Timor schools

On Thursday, thick smoke from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia blanketed the skies of Kalimantan in orange hues, severely limiting visibility. The capital of Central Kalimantan, Palangkaraya, witnessed particularly intense conditions, with skies turning yellow and orange, and visibility reduced to just a few dozen meters. Residents were exposed to hazardous levels of airborne particles due to ongoing fires in extensive forest and plantation areas.

In response, East Timor announced a three-day nationwide school closure, starting from October 15, to safeguard pupils, teachers, and education personnel from deteriorating air quality. The suspension encompassed all public, private, and cooperative schools within the national education system, including preschools, primary, secondary, and vocational institutions.

Schools were directed to provide assignments for students studying at home and prepare for resuming interrupted teaching. East Timor's officials advised families to keep children indoors and recommended wearing protective masks when venturing outside. Despite continued commutes and daily activities in Dili, the capital, air quality remained compromised, with the city still shrouded in the yellowish haze.

The Indonesian wildfire emergency has resulted in widespread pollution across Southeast Asia, impacting Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and East Timor. As a result, several affected regions have issued health warnings and restrictions on outdoor activities. In Singapore, air quality readings reached exceptionally high levels, with fine particulate matter concentrations of 284 micrograms per cubic meter recorded in its western districts, classified as the highest pollution category by the National Environment Agency.

Malaysia has also closed schools in affected areas as smoke from Indonesia's wildfires threatens public health. Both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore were among the world's most polluted major cities on Thursday, according to air quality monitoring measurements.