🔥 Trending Understanding the Haze Situation in Singapore

The haze affecting Singapore primarily originates from transboundary smoke, predominantly from forest and peatland fires in neighboring Indonesia, particularly Sumatra and Kalimantan ¹⁵. While Singapore itself does not typically have large-scale fires causing widespread haze, it is highly susceptible to the effects of these regional fires due to wind patterns.

Causes of Regional Fires

The fires in Indonesia, which are the main source of Singapore's haze, are often a result of a combination of factors:

• Agricultural Practices: Slash-and-burn techniques are commonly used by farmers and plantation companies to clear land for agriculture, especially for palm oil and pulpwood plantations. This is a cost-effective method but can easily get out of control, especially during dry seasons ¹.
• Peatland Fires: Many areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan have extensive peatlands. Peat is highly flammable when dry and can smolder underground for weeks or even months, releasing large amounts of smoke and greenhouse gases. These fires are particularly difficult to extinguish ¹.
• Dry Weather Conditions: Prolonged dry spells, often exacerbated by climate patterns like El Niño, create ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. The southern ASEAN region is frequently forecast to remain dry, increasing the risk of escalating hotspot and haze situations in fire-prone areas ¹.
• Lack of Enforcement and Oversight: While regulations exist, enforcement can be challenging, leading to continued illegal land-clearing practices.

Impact on Singapore

When these fires occur, prevailing winds can carry the smoke and particulate matter across the Malacca Strait to Singapore, leading to a significant drop in air quality. The Air Pollutant Index (API) or Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to measure air quality, and during haze events, readings can reach unhealthy or even hazardous levels ²³⁴.

For example, in August 2026, haze conditions worsened across Malaysia, with several areas including Sarawak and the Klang Valley recording unhealthy API readings, indicating the regional nature of the problem ⁷⁸. While these specific reports are for Malaysia, the same source fires and atmospheric conditions often affect Singapore concurrently or sequentially.

The haze consists of tiny airborne particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing health risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions. It also reduces visibility and can disrupt daily activities and travel.