Why forest fires in Southeast Asia can't be put out

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) issued a Level 3 alert—the highest level—for the southern ASEAN region on August 26. This means the region faces a high risk of severe transboundary haze for more than two consecutive days. Indonesia is experiencing its worst forest fire season in a decade, and toxic haze is crossing national borders, blanketing Malaysia, Singapore, and Timor-Leste.