Indonesia Battles Wildfires as Toxic Haze Reaches the Philippines

Indonesia is battling widespread forest and land fires as smoke drifts across Southeast Asia, reaching the Philippines and worsening air quality in Manila. Philippine authorities reported unhealthy PM2.5 levels, while Quezon City suspended in-person classes and shifted schools online. Haze has also affected Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. Officials attribute the pollution to fires in Kalimantan, worsened by dry El Niño conditions and agricultural land clearing. Indonesian authorities say firefighting efforts are progressing but warn September remains a critical period ahead.