# Fires and smoke spread across New Guinea during drought

AI-written; checked against cited reporting. Verification can still miss errors.
Topic: Science · Status: published · Version: 1
Published: 2026-10-22T05:17:04.765Z · Updated: 2026-10-22T05:17:04.765Z
Record: https://davids.news/s/fires-and-smoke-spread-across-new-guinea-during-drought-7284445e

NASA reports that fires scorched the island in September and October 2026, with smoke disrupting flights and closing schools in some areas.

- NASA says Papua New Guinea fires had released nearly 32 megatons of carbon by October 19, more than any year on record at that point.

Why it matters: NASA reports that smoke caused severe air pollution and led officials in some areas to advise children and older people to wear masks.

## Original sources

- [NASA](<https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/fires-char-new-guinea>) — primary announcement
  Source: NASA 2026 · Original report: 2026-10-22T04:01:00.000Z

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