Toxic smoke from Indonesian fires spreads across Southeast Asia

A 'super' El Niño is making massive peatland fires in Indonesia worse, causing school closures and health crises in the region.

Huge fires are burning across Indonesia right now. These aren't just normal forest fires. They are happening in peatlands, which are swampy areas filled with old plant matter. When these burn, they create a very thick, toxic smoke. This smoke is now blowing into neighboring countries. It is creating a major haze that is making it hard for people to breathe. In many areas, the air quality is so bad that schools have been forced to close to keep children safe. Experts say the weather is making things much worse. A climate event called 'super' El Niño is happening right now. El Niño changes w…