Indonesia wildfires linked to 3,560 deaths in September

Indonesia’s devastating forest and land fires have triggered a deadly air pollution crisis, with an estimated 3,560 people losing their lives in September 2026 due to exposure to smoke and hazardous particles, according to a new research report.

The findings, released by the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), highlight the growing human cost of Indonesia’s seasonal wildfires, which have severely affected several regions, particularly Kalimantan and Sumatra.

According to the report, the estimated death toll in September was almost twice the figure recorded in August, reflecting a sharp deterioration in air quality as fires continued to spread across forests and land areas.

An estimated 57.8 million people were exposed to unhealthy to extremely hazardous levels of air pollution during the month, raising serious concerns about the impact on public health.

The report identified fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, produced by burning forests and land, as a major contributor to the increase in premature deaths. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of serious health complications.

The impact was particularly severe in Kalimantan, where approximately 1,470 deaths across four provinces were linked to wildfire smoke. In Sumatra, five provinces recorded an estimated 1,420 deaths associated with exposure to fire-related pollution.

The scale of the crisis was also reflected in Indonesia’s average population-weighted PM2.5 concentration, which reached 36 micrograms per cubic metre in September. This was more than seven times the World Health Organization’s annual guideline of five micrograms per cubic metre.

Conditions were even worse in Kalimantan, where average PM2.5 levels reached 120 micrograms per cubic metre, while Sumatra recorded 51 micrograms.

The report estimated that air pollution caused approximately 5,310 deaths across Indonesia during September. Of these, around 1,750 were associated with conventional urban and industrial pollution, including vehicle emissions and industrial activities.

This means wildfire smoke accounted for the largest additional source of pollution-related deaths during the month.

The findings underline the urgent need for stronger forest fire prevention, improved air quality monitoring and effective measures to protect communities from hazardous smoke.

As Indonesia continues to face recurring seasonal fires, the latest figures serve as a stark warning about how environmental destruction can quickly turn into a major public health emergency.