Indonesia is testing dry ice as a way to clear wildfire haze in Palembang, South Sumatra. The trial used 1.5 tons of frozen carbon dioxide to improve air quality and visibility as smoke from land and forest fires spreads across the region. Unlike cloud seeding with silver iodide, dry ice is an older weather modification method, but experts say it can only offer temporary, local relief while fires continue burning. The article quotes bushfire researcher Rick McRae from the University of New South Wales, who warns that wind and weather will keep carrying new smoke into cleared areas. That means the trial is not a long-term fix for Indonesia's recurring haze crisis. Peatland fires, which can smolder underground, and climate change are the deeper problems that need attention. The trial results will show whether dry ice is worth using for emergency haze response, but prevention and fire control remain the core challenge.
