Category Archives: Haze Review for Year 2026

Review of Regional Haze Situation for September 2026

1.1 Southwest monsoon conditions persisted over the ASEAN region in September 2026, except over the northern parts of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia where showers were observed. The prevailing low-level winds blew mainly from the southeast over areas south of the Equator and turned to blow from the southwest or west over areas north of the Equator (Figure 1).

1.2 The southern ASEAN region remained under its traditional dry season throughout September 2026. Dry conditions prevailed over many parts of the region, except for isolated showers over parts of northern Sumatra, Malaysia, and the northern parts of Kalimantan. Meanwhile, showers were prevalent over the northern ASEAN region, with relatively drier conditions over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region. Heavy rains and strong winds brought by the storms affected several areas in the northern ASEAN region, particularly the northern and central parts of Thailand, where several floods were reported.

1.3 The hotspot counts for the ASEAN region in September 2026 were the higher than or comparable to those recorded in the same month during previous years. Notably, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Viet Nam each recorded their highest September hotspot counts in five years (Figures 2 and 3).

1.4 During the review period, persistent scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in most of Kalimantan and the central and southern parts of Sumatra while isolated hotspots were detected elsewhere in the southern ASEAN region (Figure 4). Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were seen originating from hotspots in large part of Kalimantan, with plumes drifting into Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines (Figures 6, 7 and 8). Moderate to dense smoke plumes were also observed emanating from hotspot clusters in southern Sumatra on multiple days. With the exception of isolated hotspots detected in parts of Viet Nam and Thailand, hotspot and smoke haze activity over the northern ASEAN region remained subdued under the prevailing wet weather (Figure 4).

Review of Regional Haze Situation for August 2026

1.1 During August 2026, the ASEAN region continued to experience the Southwest Monsoon conditions. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region blew from the southeast or south, while the prevailing winds over the northern ASEAN region blew from the southwest to west (Figure 1).

1.2 Dry weather was observed over most of the southern ASEAN region during the review period, except for some showers over the northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, and the northeastern parts of Borneo (Figure 1). Alert Levels 2 and 3 for the southern ASEAN region were raised on 3 August 2026 and 26 August 2026 respectively, in view of an increased risk of transboundary haze occurrence, amid persistent dry weather and an escalating hotspot and smoke haze situation. On the other hand, showers prevailed over the northern ASEAN region (Figure 1).

1.3 Over the southern ASEAN region, hotspot counts were mostly higher in August 2026 compared to previous years, with Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sabah and Sarawak having the highest counts recorded in five years (Figure 2). Over the northern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for August 2026 were generally lower or comparable to previous years, except over the Philippines where the hotspot count was the highest recorded in five years (Figure 3).

1.4 Scattered to widespread persistent and intense hotspots were detected in parts of Kalimantan and the southern parts of Sumatra (Figures 4 and 5). Towards the end of the review period, moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed to cover North, West and Central Kalimantan, Brunei, the western and central parts of Sarawak and the southern parts of Sabah (Figure 6 and 9). Moderate to dense smoke plumes were also observed to emanate from hotspots detected in other parts of Kalimantan, the central and southern parts of Sumatra, the western parts of Peninsular Malaysia and the eastern parts of Java (Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9).

1.5 Over the northern ASEAN region, the overall hotspot and smoke haze situation remained subdued (Figures 4 and 5).

Review of Regional Haze Situation for July 2026

1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions continued over the ASEAN region throughout July 2026. The prevailing winds across the southern ASEAN region blew mainly from the southeast to south, while winds over the northern ASEAN region blew mostly from the southwest to west (Figure 1).

1.2 Showers were observed over many parts of the ASEAN region during the review period, except over Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, where persistent dry conditions were observed (Figure 1). The southern parts of Sumatra, and the southern and central parts of Borneo also experienced periods of dry weather. On 10 July 2026, the Alert Level 1 for the southern ASEAN region was activated, signalling the start of the dry season. Over the northern ASEAN region, relatively higher rainfall was recorded over the northern parts of Viet Nam and the Philippines due to Typhoon Maysak, Bavi and Noul.

1.3 The hotspot counts for July 2026 over the ASEAN region were generally comparable to previous years (Figure 2 and 3), except in Cambodia, where hotspot counts were slightly higher relative to the past four years (Figure 3).

1.4 Hotspot activities were more persistent in West Kalimantan and parts of the Lesser Sunda Islands towards the latter half of the review period (Figure 4), with more intense fires detected in West Kalimantan as well (Figure 5). Slight to moderate smoke plumes were observed mainly over Java, parts of Borneo, and the northern and southern parts of Sumatra, with transboundary smoke haze observed to drift from West Kalimantan into the western parts of Sarawak on a few days (Figures 6 – 10). Slight to moderate smoke plumes were also observed over the central parts of Cambodia and Viet Nam on a few days.

Review of Regional Haze Situation for June 2026

1.1 Southwest Monsoon conditions became fully established in early June 2026. The prevailing winds across the southern ASEAN region blew mainly from the southeast to south, while the prevailing winds over the northern ASEAN region blew mostly from the south to west (Figure 1).

1.2 Rainfall prevailed over most parts of the ASEAN region during the review period, except over the southern parts of Sumatra and Borneo, as well as Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands where drier conditions were observed (Figure 1).

1.3 Over the southern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for June 2026 were generally lower than or comparable to previous years (Figure 2). Over the northern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for June 2026 were generally comparable to previous years, except in Thailand and the Philippines, where hotspot counts were slightly higher compared to the past 5 years (Figure 3).

1.4 During the review period, few to isolated hotspots were detected in the ASEAN region, with more persistent and intense fires in the southern parts of Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, as well as parts of Viet Nam (Figure 4). During periods of dry weather over the southern ASEAN region, slight to moderate smoke plumes were observed emitting from hotspots detected mainly in the northern and central parts of Sumatra, Java and parts of Borneo (Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9).

Review of Regional Haze Situation for May 2026

1.1 Light and variable winds were observed over many parts of the ASEAN region during the review period of May 2026 (Figure 1). Over the Mekong sub-region, the prevailing winds were mostly light and southerly, while southeasterly winds continued to dominate over Java, Sulawesi and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

1.2 Overall, the ASEAN region experienced wet weather during the review period as the monsoon rainband shifted northwards and was situated over the area near the Equator. The Alert Level for the Mekong sub-region was downgraded to Level 0 on 14 May 2026 following the increase in showers and the expected persistent rainfall over the sub-region. The southern ASEAN region continued to experience wet weather, except for drier conditions over Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Figure 1: Average Daily Rainfall and Mean Winds for May 2026. (Source: JAXA GsMaP and GFS, respectively)

1.3 Hotspot counts in the ASEAN region were generally comparable to the previous years.

Figure 2: Hotspot counts for the northern ASEAN region for May (2022-2026) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 3: Hotspot counts for the southern ASEAN region for May (2022-2026) based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

1.4 Isolated hotspots were detected in the northern ASEAN region, particularly in the northern parts of Lao PDR and the central parts of Viet Nam where hotspots are more intense and persistent.

1.5 For the southern ASEAN region, a few to isolated hotspots were mostly detected in parts of Sumatra, Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.

1.6 During the first half of May 2026, slight to moderate smoke haze was observed over the southern parts of Myanmar and the northern and central parts of Thailand. Localised smoke plumes were also occasionally observed over the parts of Kalimantan in mid-May, as well as parts of Sumatra and the northern parts of Lao PDR and Viet Nam in the later half of the review period.

Figure 4: Distribution of hotspots detected in May 2026 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 5: Maximum fire intensity in May 2026 based on NOAA-20 satellite surveillance.

Figure 6: Number of days with moderate to dense smoke haze observed in May 2026 based on satellite imagery, ground observations, and air quality reports.

Figure 7: Slight to moderate localised smoke plumes observed over northern Lao PDR on 19 May 2026. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Figure 8: Slight and localised smoke plumes observed over the southern parts of Sumatra on 31 May 2026. (Source: Himawari-9 satellite surveillance)

Review of Regional Haze Situation for April 2026

1.1 In April 2026, the prevailing winds across most of the ASEAN region turned light and variable in direction, except for the Philippines where the winds blew mostly from the northeast to east, and in the southern and central parts of the Mekong sub-region where winds blew from the southeast or southwest, as the monsoon rainband shifted northwards towards the Equator (Figure 1). This is characterised with the transition of the Northeast Monsoon into the inter-monsoon conditions.

1.2 Although isolated rainfall was observed over some parts of the Mekong sub-region and the southern parts of Philippines, dry conditions continued over most of the northern ASEAN region during the review period (Figure 1). There was a gradual increase in the shower activities in the second half of the month. In view of the expected ongoing rainfall over the Mekong sub-region, which could alleviate hotspot and haze conditions, the Alert Level for the sub-region was downgraded to Alert Level 2 on 24 April 2026. Meanwhile, showers prevailed over most of the southern ASEAN region, apart from the eastern parts of Peninsular Malaysia and the northern and eastern parts of Borneo, where conditions were drier (Figure 1).

1.3 Over the northern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for April 2026 were generally higher than or comparable to previous years, notably in Thailand where the hotspot counts were the highest in 5 years (Figure 2). Over the southern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for April 2026 were generally lower or comparable to previous years, except in Sabah and Sarawak, where the highest hotspot count was recorded in 5 years (Figure 3).

1.4 Scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region. Persistent and intense hotspots were detected mostly in Myanmar, Lao PDR, as well as the northern and western parts of Thailand (Figures 4 and 5). Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed across the Mekong sub-region on many days, particularly over Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, the northern and southern parts of Viet Nam, as well as the northern and southern parts of Cambodia (Figure 6, 7 and 8). During periods of dry weather over the southern ASEAN region, slight to moderate smoke plumes were observed emitting from hotspots detected mainly in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, the northern and central parts of Sumatra, as well as parts of Borneo. Dense plumes were also observed in the central parts of Sumatra (Figures 6, 9 and 10).

Review of Regional Haze Situation for March 2026

1.1 During March 2026, Northeast Monsoon conditions remained over the ASEAN region. Over regions north of the Equator, the prevailing low-level winds blew mainly from the northeast to east, except over the Mekong sub-region where the winds were generally weaker and blew mostly from the southeast or south (Figure 1). Over regions south of the Equator, the prevailing low-level winds blew from the west to north (Figure 1).

1.2 Dry conditions continued over most of the northern ASEAN region during the review period, except for some showers observed over the southern parts of the Philippines and the northern parts of Myanmar (Figure 1). Meanwhile, showers prevailed over most of the southern ASEAN region, apart from parts of Peninsular Malaysia, the central parts of Sumatra and the northern parts of Borneo, where conditions were drier (Figure 1).

1.3 Over the northern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts for March 2026 were generally lower than or comparable to previous years (Figure 2). Over the southern ASEAN region, there was an increase in hotspot counts over Kalimantan, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, with the highest count recorded in five years (Figure 3).

1.4 Scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in the Mekong sub-region. Persistent and intense hotspots were detected mostly in Myanmar, Lao PDR, as well as the northern parts of Thailand and Cambodia (Figures 4 and 5). Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed across the Mekong sub-region on many days, particularly over the eastern parts of Myanmar and the northern parts of Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam (Figure 6 and 7). During periods of dry weather over the southern ASEAN region, slight to moderate smoke plumes were observed emitting from hotspots detected mainly in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, the central parts of Sumatra and the northern and western parts of Borneo (Figures 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11).

Review of Regional Haze Situation for February 2026

1.1 During February 2026, Northeast monsoon conditions were predominantly observed over the ASEAN region. While the prevailing winds blew mostly from the northeast or northwest over the region, the Mekong sub-region occasionally experienced days with prevailing light and variable winds. (Figure 1)

1.2 Extensive dry conditions were generally observed over the Mekong sub-region as well as the northern parts of the Philippines during the month of February 2026, though there were some showers observed over the southeastern and central parts of the Mekong sub-region on a few days during the last week of February. Parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra also experienced days with relatively lower rainfall during the month (Figure 1). Heavier showers were observed over the Philippines, which can be attributed to Tropical Storm Penha. To reflect the ongoing and expected dry weather conditions over the Mekong sub-region, ASMC issued Alert Level 2 for the Mekong sub-region on 2 February 2026.

1.3 Despite the drier conditions, hotspot counts over the ASEAN region for February 2026 were observed to be much lower or comparable compared to the hotspot counts from the preceding years (2022-2025), except for Sumatra where hotspot counts were higher.

1.4 Scattered to widespread hotspots were often observed over the northern and western parts of Cambodia as well as the southern parts of Lao PDR (Figure 4), leading to moderate to dense smoke plumes observed over these areas for many days during February 2026 (Figure 6). Transboundary smoke haze would occasionally occur from the southern parts of Lao PDR to the northern parts of Cambodia, as well as from the western parts of Cambodia to the central parts of Thailand (Figure 8 & 9) . Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to persist over the central and northern parts of Myanmar under the prevailing light winds situation (Figure 6 and 9 ). In the southern ASEAN region, Smoke plumes were also observed in the southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia, the central parts of Sumatra and in West Kalimantan for a few days in the month. (Figure 6 and 7 )

Review of Regional Haze Situation for January 2026

1.1 The Northeast Monsoon continued over the ASEAN region throughout January 2026. The prevailing low-level winds over regions north of the Equator blew mainly from the northeast to east, except over the northern parts of the Mekong sub-region where the winds were light and variable in direction (Figure 1). Over regions south of the Equator, the prevailing low-level winds blew mainly from the west to north (Figure 1).

1.2 Dry weather persisted over the Mekong sub-region, Peninsular Malaysia and the northern parts of the Philippines in January 2026. Showers were observed elsewhere in the ASEAN region (Figure 1), with the areas south of the Equator, the eastern parts of Borneo and the central parts of the Philippines experiencing higher rainfall. The latter was due to the influence of Tropical Storm NOKAEN.

1.3 The hotspot counts over the northern ASEAN region were generally lower than or comparable to those recorded in the same month during previous years (Figure 2). Over the southern ASEAN region, the hotspot counts were mostly higher compared to previous years, especially over Kalimantan and Sumatra, where there was a significant increase in hotspot activity, with the highest count recorded in five years (Figure 3).

1.4 Persistent and intense hotspots were detected mostly in Cambodia, Myanmar and the southern parts of Lao PDR (Figures 4 and 5). During prolonged periods of dry weather, moderate and persistent smoke plumes were observed mainly over the central parts of Myanmar and the northern parts of Cambodia. Smoke plumes were also observed over the other parts of the Mekong sub-region, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Kalimantan (Figures 6 to 10).