Forest and land fires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region (part of Borneo) flare again, producing thick smoke that spreads over residential areas and can drift into neighboring countries, prompting widespread images and reports on news and social media.
While El Niño is often cited as a driver of drought and increased fire risk, some analyses argue it is not the only factor. Rather than attributing the flare-ups solely to El Niño-related dryness, sources point to how changing land and soil conditions reduce the ecosystem’s ability to hold water. This soil moisture loss can make fires more likely and more intense when burning starts.
The discussion across outlets therefore focuses on both climatic and land-management causes: El Niño can contribute to drier conditions, but additional processes—such as reduced soil water retention—help explain why fires can spike even as the broader climate picture varies. The prevention emphasis in these perspectives centers on restoring soil and environmental balance, not only weather-related preparedness.
