Indonesia deploys dry ice to combat haze from wildfires affecting Southeast Asia

Consensus Summary

Indonesia is testing an experimental solution to its devastating wildfire haze crisis by deploying 1.5 tons of dry ice over South Sumatra starting Thursday, local time. The move, ordered by President Prabowo Subianto, aims to reduce the thick smoke blanketing the region and neighboring countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, East Timor, and the Philippines. Both ABC and the Guardian confirm the trial will focus on Palembang, with authorities preparing to expand the tactic if it proves effective. The haze has already triggered severe respiratory health warnings, with Singapore activating its highest pollution alert and distributing N95 masks, while East Timor closed schools for three days to protect students from the toxic air.

The wildfires, which began burning in August according to ABC and have intensified since January per the Guardian, have scorched hundreds of thousands of hectares across Borneo and Sumatra. The Guardian reports nearly 900,000 hectares have burned nationwide, marking the worst fire season in more than a decade. Experts attribute the crisis to a combination of drought conditions exacerbated by a strong El Niño event and the controversial practice of 'slash and burn' land clearing for palm oil plantations. The haze has persisted for months, forcing millions of Indonesians to endure thick smoke and hazardous air quality, with the Guardian describing the scene as an 'apocalyptic tangerine haze'.

Key figures in the response include Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachma, who announced the dry ice trial as a direct presidential order. Both outlets quote him emphasizing that the government will assess the results before considering wider implementation. Singapore’s National Environment Agency has also played a critical role, activating subsidies for haze-related medical treatment starting Monday—a measure last used in 2015 during a similar crisis. The Guardian notes that Singapore’s financial hub was recently listed among the most polluted cities globally, while Kuala Lumpur also faced severe air quality impacts.

While both sources agree on the core details of the dry ice deployment and the regional impact of the haze, they diverge on specific figures and timelines. ABC highlights that over 280,000 respiratory problems have been recorded since August 18, while the Guardian focuses on tens of thousands seeking treatment without a precise total. Additionally, ABC specifies that a fire destroyed nearly 300 homes on Sumatra on Tuesday, forcing evacuations, whereas the Guardian does not mention this incident. The Guardian also provides historical context, noting the dry ice technique was first used in the 1940s and citing expert skepticism about its long-term effectiveness, while ABC does not address the method’s origins or limitations.

Despite the urgency of the situation, unresolved challenges remain. The Guardian reports a class action lawsuit accusing the Indonesian government of 'gross negligence' for its response, signaling growing public frustration. Both outlets emphasize that the fires, particularly those burning in peatland areas, are difficult to extinguish and may persist for weeks underground. While the dry ice trial offers a short-term solution, experts warn it may only provide localized relief, with weather patterns continuously bringing fresh smoke into affected regions. The Guardian suggests the crisis could worsen with climate change, potentially becoming a global issue rather than a regional one, though neither source provides a clear timeline for when further decisions on the dry ice deployment will be made.