Singapore Warns Indonesian Firms Over Haze

Singapore announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, that it would issue preventative notices to seven companies in Indonesia implicated in the fires causing toxic smoke across Southeast Asia. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu stated that investigations suggest some haze originated from fires on the lands of these companies on Sumatra island. The notices will direct firms to deploy firefighting teams, cease burning activities, and submit action plans. Singapore is considering measures like fines or charges to ensure compliance. Authorities reported four deaths from fires on Indonesia's Java island, with two others seriously injured.

The blazes have led to school closures and a surge in respiratory complaints across Indonesia. Singapore's air pollution index reached 'very unhealthy levels' on Friday, with tourists reporting significant impacts on sightseeing. In Indonesia's Palangkaraya, pollution levels hovered in the hazardous zone, affecting local businesses and residents' health. Experts attribute the severity of this year's fires to a strong El Nino weather pattern exacerbating drought conditions and damaging fire-resistant landscapes, compounded by deforestation and peatland degradation.