Indonesia wildfires escalate health crisis, threaten millions with toxic haze

Wildfires that have engulfed large parts of Indonesia are now threatening public health, forcing school closures and driving thousands to hospitals for treatment of respiratory symptoms. The blazes, which have persisted for more than a month, are spreading across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java and Papua, according to emergency crews. In West Kalimantan, where the peatlands are dry and fire‑fighting resources are limited, the situation is described by residents and volunteers as the worst the region has seen in years.

President Prabowo Subianto said on Tuesday that the government has deployed dozens of helicopters, aircraft, water pumps and thousands of personnel to fight the flames. The Health Ministry estimates that 3.4 million people are at risk of respiratory infections and has distributed over 260,000 face masks to residents in the hardest‑hit areas. Yet many patients continue to present with cough, sore throat and other breathing problems. Dr Muhammad Arief Trihapsoro of Sungai Durian Health Clinic reports that 50 to 70 people seek treatment each day for throat inflammation and bronchitis, conditions that could lead to long‑term heart and lung disease if exposure continues.

The fires are especially dangerous for pregnant women and children. Parents in Kubu Raya are sending their children to clinics repeatedly, as symptoms such as stomachaches, fever, cough and runny noses reappear after short periods. “They have been sick three times in this month because of the smoke, ash, drought and fires,” says Siti Zahra, a mother of two. She reports that ash covers every surface inside the house, forcing her to sweep daily, and she keeps her children inside and forces them to wear masks during visits to health facilities. Zahra fears that the haze and ash will have a lasting impact on her children’s health.

Volunteer firefighter Anas Dwi Wahyu Kurniawan says the scale of the fires this year matches those of 2016. He notes that limited personal protective equipment and shortages of portable oxygen and other supplies hamper firefighting efforts. “With water sources far away and inadequate equipment, I think the situation will continue for some time unless there is a change in the weather,” he says. He and other volunteers are battling rapidly spreading fires through dried‑up peatland, while haze reduces visibility and hampers rescue operations.

Residents such as Salma, who has lived in Kubu Raya for 15 years, describe the intensity of the fires as unprecedented. “I was scared, I was afraid that I would be burned by such a big fire. So I evacuated,” she told Al Jazeera. She added that the fire “almost burned everything” and that if firefighters had not arrived quickly, her house would have burned down.

The government’s response includes the deployment of aerial resources and the distribution of masks, but experts warn that the combination of dry peatlands, high temperatures and limited firefighting equipment will prolong the crisis. The Ministry of Health has urged residents to use masks and to stay indoors when possible, while emergency crews continue to work to contain the blazes.

In the coming weeks, the focus will remain on preventing further spread of the fires, mitigating health risks, and supporting affected communities. The long‑term health consequences of prolonged exposure to haze and ash are still uncertain, but the immediate impact on respiratory health is clear, with thousands seeking medical care each day and vulnerable groups—pregnant women and children—bearing the brunt of the crisis.