# A thick haze from wildfires in Indonesia is spreading across Southeast Asia as a powerful El Niño brings hotter and drier conditions. Millions of people in Indonesia, Malaysia and neighbouring countries are being exposed to potentially hazardous air. Indonesia has recorded nearly 95-thousand hectares of land burned in July alone, while authorities have detected thousands of fire hotspots. The smoke has already forced school closures and cancelled outdoor events in parts of Malaysia. Officials fear the situation could worsen as El Niño reaches its peak this month.
Southeast Asia chokes on wildfire haze as El Niño intensifies