{
  "id": 6215726,
  "title": "Indonesian Borneo fires choke communities as haze spreads to Malaysia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/indonesian-borneo-fires-choke-communities-as-haze-spreads-to-malaysia",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T02:15:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2026/09/1528043/indonesian-borneo-fires-choke-communities-haze-spreads-malaysia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Wildfires in Indonesian Borneo are producing an acrid haze that is spreading to Malaysia, causing breathing difficulties for millions of people. The situation is particularly dire in West Kalimantan province, where the prolonged El Nino drought has exacerbated the fires. Three community leaders have shared their perspectives on the crisis:\n\nThe head of the local education ministry highlighted the challenges faced by students who are staying home due to poor air quality. With limited access to the internet and devices, many children are struggling to learn. Schools have been closed indefinitely, with about 200,000 pupils receiving home-based education.\n\nA health official reported a surge in respiratory illnesses, with over 1,400 people hospitalized for acute respiratory infections in September alone. The agency has distributed masks to the public, but its stock is running low. They are urging residents to buy their own masks and are monitoring cases of diarrhoea linked to the drought.\n\nA hamlet head appealed for more firefighting equipment, as the residents are struggling to control the fires. Smoke exposure poses a significant health risk, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with asthma. Despite the challenging conditions, community leaders are hopeful that the haze will clear soon, as West Kalimantan's wetter season typically begins in October or November.",
  "summary": "PONTIANAK: Wildfires ravaging the Indonesian part of Borneo island are choking communities as far away as Malaysia with putrid haze, testing the resources and resolve of those having to endure them.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "‘Truly scared’: Indonesian firefighters struggle to contain Borneo blazes as haze chokes communities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/truly-scared-indonesian-firefighters-struggle-to-contain-borneo",
        "published": "2026-09-07T13:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Praying for rain as fires, haze plague Indonesian Borneo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/praying-for-rain-as-fires-haze-plague-indonesian-borneo",
        "published": "2026-09-08T01:57:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}