Authorities and agribusiness firms in Southeast Asia are closely monitoring land and forest fires amid concerns over transboundary haze, with hopes that upcoming monsoon rains will help alleviate the situation. The region typically experiences increased rainfall during the wet phase of the northeast monsoon, which generally begins in December. However, uncertainty remains over the timing of this seasonal transition due to the ongoing strong El Niño event, which has historically disrupted monsoon patterns.
Meteorological experts note that while the monsoon is expected to bring relief eventually, the exact onset is uncertain and may vary between late October and November. An updated forecast is anticipated at the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum scheduled for later this month.
In Indonesia, authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into suspected fires within concession areas operated by subsidiaries of several Singapore-listed palm oil producers. On October 16, Kencana Agri, which manages plantations in North and East Kalimantan, disclosed that roughly 62 hectares of its concession areas had been affected by fires. The company stated that the fires spread into its areas from neighboring land rather than originating within its operations. Kencana Agri has cooperated with local authorities and deployed firefighting measures including drones and fire observation towers to contain the blazes.
Similarly, Wilmar International acknowledged the presence of fires in small sections of its Indonesian concessions. The company maintained that these fires began outside its managed lands or on locally farmed plots within its concessions but spread into company territory. Wilmar asserted that its firefighting teams swiftly extinguished the fires and emphasized its no-burning policy enforced since 2006, applying to subsidiaries and third-party suppliers. The group also highlighted that it has refrained from new oil palm planting since 2013, focusing instead on mechanical replanting of existing areas.
Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) confirmed that recent fires had not significantly impacted its operations across Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua. The company reported no formal investigations or allegations linking it to the fires. Its Indonesian-listed arm, Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART), echoed these statements, noting that their production targets and financial performance remain unaffected.
Indofood Agri Resources, through its subsidiary Salim Ivomas Pratama (SIMP), reported on October 16 that it is actively monitoring potential fire hotspots via satellite data in its plantations spanning Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. However, the company did not specify whether any hotspots had been detected within its managed areas.
Bumitama Agri, which temporarily suspended trading on October 16, acknowledged that fires caused damage to areas within or adjacent to its concessions, particularly in community-managed and uncleared lands. The firm’s preliminary investigations indicate that several fires originated outside its managed areas before spreading inward. Official Indonesian records support Bumitama’s assertion that at least one fire entered its concession from external sources, rather than being started internally.
The flare-up of fires and the resulting haze have drawn increased scrutiny on plantation practices and environmental management in the region, especially amid climate disruptions linked to El Niño. Companies have highlighted collaboration with local authorities and communities to control ongoing incidents while maintaining policies aimed at preventing fire outbreaks.