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Why is a peat fire so bad? BBC is in Indonesia to find out

BBC News •
October 21, 2026 • 10:02 PM
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The BBC's Liza Tambunan is in central Kalimantan, to explain what peat is and why Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.

Why is a peat fire so bad? BBC is in Indonesia to find out

The BBC's Liza Tambunan is in central Kalimantan, as Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade.

A toxic haze has been choking millions of residents in the region, and has spread to neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.

So why has it been so bad? Liza Tambunan explains what peat is, and why peatland fires are so difficult to contain.

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Chandika Shrestha was airlifted to hospital after spending more than 10 days in her partially buried house.

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