Why did the Singapore ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre issue Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region?

The alert was issued because ongoing Indonesian fires produced persistent hotspots and widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, while dry weather continued and winds carried the haze toward neighboring ASEAN countries. The conditions indicated a high risk of severe transboundary haze.

How does the ASEAN haze alert system work, and what does Level 3 mean?

The Singapore-based center uses four alert levels, from zero to three. Level 3 is the highest and is triggered when persistent fires, widespread haze lasting at least two consecutive days, dry conditions and winds toward neighboring countries create a high risk of severe transboundary haze.

How has the Indonesian haze affected Southeast Asia, and what action did Singapore announce?

The monthslong haze has disrupted daily life, led to school closures and increased respiratory complaints across large parts of Southeast Asia. Singapore said it would issue warnings to seven Indonesian companies it identified as responsible for fires, while cautioning that conditions could worsen.

Haze triggers highest alert level in southern ASEAN zone: monitor

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Summary

Ongoing fires in Indonesia triggered the highest alert level for the Southern ASEAN region on Friday because of a high risk of severe transboundary haze. The Singapore ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre said persistent hotspots, dense smoke, dry weather and winds toward neighboring countries met the criteria for Alert Level 3. The haze has disrupted daily life, closed schools and increased respiratory complaints across Southeast Asia.

Key Facts

The Singapore ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre uses a four-tier alert system ranging from Level 0 to Level 3.
Alert Level 3 requires significant and persistent hotspot activity, moderate to dense smoke haze across at least two consecutive days, continuing dry weather and winds carrying haze toward neighboring ASEAN countries.
The Southern ASEAN region previously received similar alerts on Aug. 26 and March 27.
Singapore said it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia that it identified as responsible for fires.

By AFP

Published Oct 17, 2026 1:31 pm KST

The skyline of Kuala Lumpur is seen amid thick smog during sunrise, Oct. 17, as the country continues to be shrouded in haze caused by fires in Indonesia. AFP-Yonhap

SINGAPORE — Ongoing fires in Indonesia that have blanketed parts of Southeast Asia with toxic haze have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc's climate and fire monitor.

"Activation of Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region," the Singapore ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said on its website, seen on Saturday.

Based near Singapore's Changi Airport, the ASMC uses a four-tiered alert level system, from zero to three, with the highest triggered if there is a "high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region."

This included significant and persistent hot spot activities with widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, observed over two or more consecutive days, dry weather persisting and wind continuing to blow haze toward neighbouring ASEAN countries.

The ASMC alert was issued Friday, but similar alerts have already been handed out twice this year — on Aug. 26 and March 27.

A tourist in a face mask takes a photograph as haze shrouds the Merlion Park at Marina Bay, with Marina Bay Sands resort in the background, in Singapore, Oct. 16. Reuters-Yonhap

The monthslong spell of haze has been disrupting life in large parts of Southeast Asia, closing schools and spiking respiratory complaints.

Singapore said on Friday it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia it identified as responsible for fires but warned the worst may yet to come.

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