John Aglionby of The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Indonesian fires have gained new life, threatening to surpass last year's damage of 2 million hectares burnt and dense smog throughout southeast Asia. The weather pattern is following that of 1982-1983,with "fires followed by a short wet season and then more fires", however, this event could be worse because fires are starting earlier. Hundreds of fires are visible by satellite in East Kalimantan, Borneo, and " more than 200" in Sumatra.

The current economic crisis is restricting Indonesia's ability to respond.