"Smoke From Indonesia’s Illegal Fires Chokes SE Asia"

"JAKARTA, Indonesia – Fires started illegally to clear land for oil palm and acacia pulp plantations in Indonesia are sending thick smoke over the Southeast Asian region, making breathing painful, closing schools, canceling outdoor events and disrupting air traffic.

Authorities at Rendani Airport in Manokwari, West Papua imposed airspace restrictions on Sunday as thick smoke from the forest fires reduced visibility to below 2,000 meters.

Jakarta has sent about 25,000 personnel and water-bombing aircraft to fight the stubborn fires on Sumatra island and the Indonesian part of Borneo, called Kalimantan, but the blazes in forests and peatlands are still burning."

Environment News Service had the story October 19, 2015.