Smoke from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan has pushed air quality to hazardous levels across Sarawak, with Sabah and Brunei also affected. Here's what's happening, why, and what it means for the region.
Air Pollutant Index (API) in Malaysia, Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in Brunei — both use the same 0–500+ scale and bands.
As of 6pm, 1 September 2026 (NREB Daily Haze Watch)
As of 2pm, 2 September 2026 (Sabah DOE)
9am–4pm, 30 August 2026 (BDMD / DEPR)
Daily peak reading among Sarawak's 18 monitoring stations, as reported by NREB and local media over the past two weeks.
Readings jumped roughly 2.5× between 29 and 31 August as fire activity in West and Central Kalimantan intensified and southwesterly winds carried the smoke directly into western Sarawak. An API above 300 (shaded red) is classified "Hazardous."
Three factors have combined to make this year's haze season unusually severe.
Satellite monitoring by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre detected a sharp spike in hotspots across Borneo in late August, concentrated in Central and West Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of the border.
Hotspot count detected across Borneo (ASMC satellite data)
The Singapore Institute of International Affairs rated 2026 a "Red" (high) risk year — only the second Red rating since its outlook began in 2019 — citing a returning El Niño, potentially reinforced by a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, that is drying out the region more than usual.
Brunei and Malaysia are in the Southwest Monsoon phase (mid-May to September), which blows prevailing winds from the southwest — directly from the Kalimantan fire zones toward western Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei.
How the haze has disrupted daily life, health, and public events — and what authorities are doing about it.
Recommended actions by API/PSI band, based on Malaysia's National Haze Action Plan and health ministry guidance.
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Those with asthma, heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, children and the elderly should take precautions a band earlier than the general public. Anyone with persistent coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain is advised to seek medical care rather than wait it out.