Indonesia is battling widespread wildfires that have sent thick smoke across parts of Southeast Asia, prompting authorities to intensify firefighting efforts and deploy aircraft for cloud-seeding operations to encourage rainfall.
The fires have affected several provinces across the country, with worsening air quality forcing authorities in some areas to suspend physical classes as concerns grow over the health impact of the haze.
The prolonged fires come as Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia experience an unusually hot and dry period, creating conditions favourable for the rapid spread of wildfires.
The resulting haze has also crossed into neighbouring Malaysia, where air quality has deteriorated in several areas. In one town in Sarawak, the air pollution index reached 195 on Wednesday, placing conditions in the unhealthy category.
Indonesian authorities have identified six provinces as major priorities for firefighting operations: Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Riau.
Many of the affected areas contain extensive peatlands, which can become extremely dry during prolonged periods without rainfall and are particularly difficult to extinguish once they catch fire.
Residents in Central Kalimantan have reported worsening conditions as smoke continues to spread across communities.
Darwin Romy, an indigenous Dayak resident of Palangka Raya, told BBC Indonesian that wildfires had persisted in the area for more than a month.
He said the smoke had become increasingly heavy, causing residents’ eyes to sting and leaving a strong burning smell in the air.
Romy also said some fires had moved closer to residential areas, while declining water supplies were making firefighting operations increasingly difficult.
In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, authorities have introduced measures to protect students from the worsening haze.
The city’s mayor, Edi Rusdi Kamtono, said schools would continue with online lessons for as long as the fires remained active.
Kamtono said residents had increasingly noticed the haze, particularly during the night and early morning, as smoke spread across the city.
Meanwhile, a separate wildfire at Mount Bromo National Park in East Java burned for nearly a week, destroying about 550 hectares of land before firefighters brought it under control on Monday.
Officials have since warned of new hotspots near the volcano’s caldera and have kept the popular tourist destination closed to visitors since August 8.
The cause of the Mount Bromo fire remains under investigation, although local authorities suspect human negligence may have contributed to the outbreak.
Gatot Soebroto, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, said a person had started a fire and attempted to put it out but failed to extinguish it completely.
Authorities are continuing to monitor fire hotspots and weather conditions as they strengthen efforts to contain the wildfires, protect communities and limit the spread of hazardous smoke across Indonesia and neighbouring countries.
Goodness Anunobi
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