Indonesia wildfire fuelled by El Niño razes 300 homes
A severe wildfire in Indonesia's Bangka Belitung province has destroyed nearly 300 homes, displacing over 1,000 residents. The blaze, intensified by El Niño weather patterns and slash-and-burn agricultural practices, has caused significant regional air pollution.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the escalating impact of climate change and extreme weather phenomena on vulnerable communities and regional air quality.
A woman rides her moped through thick haze from an earlier wildfire in West Kalimantan province. A woman rides her moped through thick haze from an earlier wildfire in West Kalimantan province. Indonesia Indonesia wildfire fuelled by El Niño razes 300 homes Hundreds of people displaced in Bangka Belitung province as shift in wind direction drove blaze towards settlement
Prefer the Guardian on Google A forest fire on Indonesia’s Sumatra island fuelled by El Niño has razed nearly 300 homes, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate, an official said on Tuesday as the country battles devastating blazes and haze.
Residents first spotted the fire approaching their village in Bangka Belitung province on Saturday and tried to put it out themselves with portable water pumps, the head of South Bangka regency, Riza Herdavid, said.
The local disaster agency said nearly 1,000 people had fled the village.
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