Environment & Climate
Wildfires burn across Indonesia, threatening millions with respiratory risks
Emergency crews and volunteers battle peatland fires across multiple islands while health officials warn of widespread air pollution.
The short version
- Indonesia is battling wildfires that have burned for over a month across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, and Papua.
- The Health Ministry warns that 3.4 million people are at risk of respiratory infections from severe haze and ash.
- Firefighters report critical challenges, including dried-up peatlands, water shortages, poor visibility, and a lack of protective equipment.
- Emergency response operations will depend heavily on upcoming weather changes to help contain the blazes.
Key facts
- Wildfires have been burning for more than a month across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, and Papua.[Al Jazeera]
- Indonesia's Health Ministry estimates that 3.4 million people face risks of respiratory infections and has distributed over 260,000 face masks to affected regions.[Al Jazeera]
- President Prabowo Subianto stated that the government deployed thousands of personnel alongside aircraft, helicopters, and water pumps to fight the blazes.[Al Jazeera]
- A physician at the Sungai Durian Health Clinic reported treating 50 to 70 patients daily suffering from coughs and throat inflammation.[Al Jazeera]
- Volunteer responders in West Kalimantan report operating with inadequate personal protective gear, limited portable oxygen, and distant water sources.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The duration of the active wildfires remains uncertain as local personnel indicate containment relies largely on favorable weather shifts.[Al Jazeera]