Earlier this week an Indonesian court in Kalimantan, where many of the wildfires are burning, began hearing a case filed against the national government for "gross negligence" over the haze.

The lawsuit was brought on by a group of civil society organisations.

They are accusing 10 defendants, including President Prabowo Subianto and the governor of West Kalimantan, of failing to address the problem. They are also asking the government to declare the haze a national disaster, which would allow for recovery and rehabilitation measures.

Kalimantan is one of the worst-hit regions in Indonesia, with fires raging in forests and peatlands. Residents have lived with thick, choking smoke for weeks.

Image source, Fadhlina Sidek's Facebook page

Following Johor's decision to shut schools for two days, authorities in several other Malaysian states – including Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor where the capital city of Kuala Lumpur is situated – have also done the same as air quality continues to deteriorate.

Authorities have also ordered for schools across the country to shut if their area's air pollution readings exceed 180 on the country's Air Pollutant Index.

"I have asked all state education departments and district education offices to continue to monitor the ​haze situation and take immediate action if the situation ​requires it," Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said in a Facebook post late on Thursday.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for a meeting of ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc to coordinate a regional response towards the haze.

Kelly Ng
Reporting from Singapore

Singapore's air quality level has plummeted to its worst so far this year.

The country's Pollutants Standards Index, a 24-hour rolling average of six key pollutants, hit a high of 170 in the central region. The index ranges from 0 to 500. It falls into "unhealthy" range upon crossing 101, while a reading above 200 denotes "very unhealthy" territory.

Coming into work this morning, I saw many people masked up, quickening their steps to get into their respective office buildings. A lady in front of me had her face shielded in her cardigan as we waited to cross the road.

The colourful residential blocks that I usually see on my daily commute have been blanketed in haze all week, but visibility was especially poor today.

PSI readings in other parts of the island hovered between 117 and 166 on Friday morning.

Image source, Kelly Ng

Liza Tambunan
Jakarta Correspondent

Authorities have deployed tens of thousands of personnel to tackle the blazes, particularly in six priority areas spread across Kalimantan and Sumatra.

They are tasked with fire-fighting efforts both on the ground and above, including through cloud-seeding operations to trigger rain, as well as water-bombing from helicopters.

Japan and Malaysia have also helped in these efforts.

But the fires keep burning, as official data shows the number of hotspots continue to fluctuate, rising again after a period of decline.

Indonesia is experiencing its worse wildfires since 2015. Scientists say these fires are exacerbated by the dry conditions brought on by the ongoing super El Nino.

But environment groups have also highlighted human activities as a contributing factor these blazes and are calling for stricter repercussions against corporations who are allegedly linked to the fires, in particular from illegal slash-and-burning activities.

Amid a public outcry, President Prabowo Subianto has vowed to take firm action against corporations found responsible for forest and land fires.

Authorities have so far revoked the permits of five companies accused of contributing to the fires, while dozens of others have their permits frozen.

Image source, LightRocket via Getty Images

Singapore authorities are keeping a close eye on the haze situation as the island-state hosts the upcoming Formula 1 night race.

The event organisers and local authorities will keep race participants informed of the latest haze developments and provide medical assistance and masks if required, a spokesperson for the Singapore Tourism Board said.

Just across the border in Malaysia, the state of Johor has shut all schools for two days due to worsening air quality.

The schools have been closed since yesterday, with the air quality in the Johor town of Batu Pahat reaching "very unhealthy" levels earlier this week and registering the worst readings in the country this season.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

The air in Singapore entered the "unhealthy range" at the start of September for the first time since 2023, Singapore's National Environment Agency said.

The haze is a result of recent dry conditions in the region and hotspots over parts of Indonesia, the agency said.

Since then, the local government has issued regular advisories, urging the public to stay hydrated and reduce outdoor activities.

Schools have been told to reduce prolonged outdoor activities while some have also been supplied with air purifiers to use in the classroom.

Wildfires raging in Indonesia have produced toxic smog, causing tens of thousands of people to suffer respiratory illnesses since August.

The air quality in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore has reached unhealthy levels as a result of the toxic haze.

The BBC's Liza Tambunan explains the effects of the wildfires and how Indonesia is attempting to tackle them.

Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

Every year Indonesia sees wildfires primarily caused by illegal slash-and-burn practices, which are used by farmers and companies as a cheap method to clear vegetation.

But recent dry weather caused by a "super El Niño" has exacerbated the problem, particularly in parts of Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan, resulting in a widespread haze that winds have carried across the region.

The wildfires are some of the worst Indonesia has battled in over a decade, covering parts of the country in a thick smog.

Local authorities have warned that the wildfires could carry on until early November due to a delayed rainy season.

Welcome to our live coverage of the toxic haze from Indonesian wildfires, which has blanketed neighbouring Singapore as well as Malaysia, the Philippines and large parts of Indonesia itself.

The smog has intensified over the past week here in Singapore, just as the city welcomes thousands of visitors for the F1 grand prix, which kicks off today.

Stay with us as we bring you updates from the region.