Indonesia battles haze as wildfires rage across South Sumatra forests

Published On 25 Aug 202625 Aug 2026.

Key points

• Almost 940 square kilometres (360 square miles) of land burned in July alone, office-holders say, including more than 20sq km (8sq miles) in South Sumatra.
• Authorities in South Sumatra, Indonesia, have turned to spiritual measures as wildfires rage throughout forests and peatlands, shrouding parts of the country in hazardous haze.
• "We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties, " Governor Herman Deru remarked before the prayers.
• Seasonal fires and cross-border haze have long been a regional flashpoint in Southeast Asia.
• Emergency crews are battling fires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season.

Regarding 3, 000 residents gathered on Tuesday in Palembang, the provincial capital, to perform salat istisqa, a special Islamic prayer for rain, in the courtyard of the governor's office. Worshippers stood shoulder to shoulder as thick smoke reduced visibility and forced motorists to drive with headlights on during the day.

South Sumatra at present has the highest number of wildfire hotspots in Indonesia, with 1, 429 detected by Environment Ministry satellites, followed by West Kalimantan with 1, 226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. Almost 940 square kilometres (360 square miles) of land burned in July alone, office-holders say, including more than 20sq km (8sq miles) in South Sumatra.

"We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties, " Governor Herman Deru remarked before the prayers. "As people of faith, we are also praying to God to send rain so that life can return to normal."

Emergency crews are battling fires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season. The fires have generated smoke that has drifted into Malaysia and Brunei, according to the national disaster management agency. While four businesses are under investigation, authorities have deployed dozens of aircraft for cloud seeding and water bombing and arrested 72 individuals over allegations of using fire to clear land.

For now, indonesia battles haze as wildfires rage across South Sumatra forests remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.