Forest fires across the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra have created hazardous smoke threatening the health of 3.4 million people in seven provinces. Thousands have sought medical assistance for respiratory problems, while schools have closed in badly affected areas. The health ministry has distributed more than 260,000 masks, and residents have been advised to remain indoors. Smoke has also spread into neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, with nearly six hundred schools closing in Sarawak. More than 200,000 hectares of Indonesian land burned between January and July, exceeding levels recorded during previous El Niño seasons. Many fires are associated with agricultural land burning, and police have detained 72 suspected perpetrators. Indonesia’s president Prabowo Subianto, stating that thousands of personnel, helicopters, aircraft and water pumps had been deployed, said he hoped the fires could be controlled within two weeks.