Singapore readies aid as haze crisis worsens; PSI nears hazardous levels

Singapore's air quality has deteriorated to levels not seen all year, with the Pollutant Standards Index reaching 192 in central Singapore on the evening of October 9—a threshold that marks the boundary between unhealthy and very unhealthy air. The reading came as forest fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan, largely set to clear land for agriculture, sent thick plumes of smoke across the region, driven by the dry conditions of an ongoing El Niño pattern. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu acknowledged the crisis while speaking to media at Our Tampines Hub on October 10, confirming that Singapore stands ready to provide assistance to Indonesia as the situation worsens.

The fires burning across Indonesia's peatlands present a particularly intractable problem. Peat, when dried by prolonged drought, ignites easily and burns for weeks once it catches fire, releasing dense, toxic smoke that is notoriously difficult to extinguish. The El Niño effect has amplified this challenge by creating the dry weather conditions that make suppression efforts far more difficult. Fu noted that the haze has worsened over the past week due to both increased hotspots in the affected regions and wind patterns that have pushed the smoke toward Singapore rather than away from it. She warned that air quality could exceed 200 this weekend, pushing into the very unhealthy range—a level not reached since the severe 2015 haze crisis, when the PSI climbed above 300 and forced schools to close.

Singapore has already been contending with haze episodes since early September, but the current stretch, which began on October 5, represents the longest continuous period of unhealthy air this year. Morning readings on October 10 showed the PSI ranging from 124 in the north to 174 in the central region, with one-hour PM2.5 measurements—which indicate immediate air quality and guide decisions about daily activities—elevated across all five monitoring zones between 80 and 119. The variation in readings across regions reflects the uneven distribution of smoke as it drifts over the island.

Fu has been in direct contact with Indonesia's Minister of Environment Jumhur Hidayat to offer support and acknowledge the efforts being made to contain the fires. Singapore and Indonesia signed an environmental cooperation agreement in June 2026 that specifically addresses transboundary pollution, and discussions are underway about longer-term initiatives to mitigate haze, including improved early warning systems and support for the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, which will be hosted in Indonesia. The centre serves as a hub where Southeast Asian nations share information, prepare for fire seasons, and coordinate assistance. During the last major haze crisis in 2015, Singapore deployed resources to help Indonesia with firefighting operations—a precedent that shapes the current offer of aid.

To protect vulnerable populations as air quality deteriorates, Singapore's authorities have activated a tiered response system. When the PSI reaches very unhealthy levels—defined as readings between 201 and 300—N95 masks will be distributed to those most at risk: members of the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation, holders of CHAS orange and blue cards, and children aged seven to sixteen. Mask vending machines will be positioned at selected public transport hubs and social services offices for broader access. Air-conditioned haze shelters will open in community clubs and selected residents' centres to provide refuge from the toxic air. All preschools will be required to halt outdoor activities and strenuous indoor exercise, while children with chronic heart and lung conditions will be exempted from indoor physical activities altogether. Workplaces will be advised to avoid outdoor work for employees with chronic heart and lung conditions. Sectoral guidance has been prepared for schools, preschools, workplaces, and healthcare institutions, with the Ministry of Education and other sector leads providing specific advisories tied to PSI thresholds.

Fu emphasized Singapore's concern for the population, particularly those most vulnerable to air pollution's effects. The nation's readiness to assist Indonesia, combined with its domestic preparations for a potential escalation to hazardous levels, reflects the reality that transboundary haze is not a problem any single country can solve alone. The weekend forecast suggests the crisis may intensify before conditions improve, leaving Singapore in a holding pattern—prepared, watchful, and dependent on both Indonesian firefighting efforts and a shift in weather patterns to bring relief.