One of the main reasons the flames spread so quickly is that fire is deliberately set to clear land for agriculture. This practice creates new ignition points and adds fuel to the already burning forest, intensifying the haze.

At the same time, dry weather linked to the El Niño phenomenon makes firefighting especially hard, because the lack of rain keeps the fire hot and fast‑moving. Firefighters therefore struggle to contain the blaze.

President Prabowo Subianto has responded by mobilizing more than 60,000 personnel to fight the blazes and help communities recover. Authorities have also tried cloud seeding and aerial water drops, but officials say these methods have had limited success.

The combination of agricultural burning, El Niño‑driven dryness, and only modestly effective emergency measures explains why the fires keep spreading and why respiratory problems are rising. Understanding these drivers highlights the link between land‑use choices, climate patterns and public health.