Rain brings brief relief from Indonesia's wildfires, but peat fires keep burning

Rain has brought brief relief from the wildfires burning in Indonesia. The fires have not been fully put out, however: peat fires underground continue to burn.

The fires and toxic haze are a problem across Southeast Asia, where countries are still dealing with the consequences. The rain has so far offered only temporary respite, and the source does not say how long the improvement may last or when the fires could be extinguished.

Underground peat fires are a persistent problem because they keep burning even when surface flames are brought under control or dampened by rain. A short-lived improvement therefore does not mean the threat has passed.