Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, are currently covered in a thick haze of smoke, which is the result of Indonesia's annual burning of land for the production of pulp, paper and palm oil.
The haze, which started in the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, has reached a new level of hazard this year, with the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency declaring it a "crime against humanity," CNN reported.
Schools have closed, transportation has been disrupted, and more than half a million people have been diagnosed with acute respiratory infections since July.
Authorities report that the fires have killed 10 people, some of whom died while fighting the blazes and others from the pollution, according to AFP.
Heavy rains occurred Tuesday, which has helped lessen the fires in some areas, therefore lessening the choking haze. However, more rain is still needed in the coming days for the fires to be completely under control, a senior government minister said Wednesday, according to The New York Times.
Indonesia has deployed planes and helicopters to drop water and fire retardants in the areas that are still burning, while 2,000 soldiers and 500 policemen have been sent to the locations in Sumatra and Kalimantan to help local firefighters in battling the blazes.
