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Indonesia wildfires expose 3 million people to hazardous haze
Wildfires across Indonesia have caused a severe air quality crisis, with approximately 3 million people in 37 districts and cities directly exposed to thick haze. The Ministry of Health has deployed 314 medical personnel to seven affected provinces, including Jambi, Riau, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan, to manage a surge in acute respiratory infection (ISPA) cases.
In Central Kalimantan, ISPA cases rose by 78.1 percent in a single week. West Kalimantan has recorded over 151,000 cases since January 2026. To mitigate the health impact, the government is distributing medical supplies, including 278,940 face masks.
Satellite data indicates significant wildfire activity, with South Sumatra recording the highest number of hot spots at 1,429, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. In Pekanbaru, Riau, PM2.5 concentrations reached 508.8 micrograms, a level categorized as very dangerous. The smoke has also drifted into neighboring Malaysia and Brunei. In response to the prolonged dry season and fires, residents in Palembang have gathered for 'salat istisqa' rain prayers.
Entities
BMKG · Budi Gunadi Sadikin · Herman Deru · Indonesia · Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition · Jambi · Kalimantan · Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources · Ministry of Health · National Disaster Management Agency · PT PLN (Persero) · PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] No fatalities have been reported as a result of the haze impact. halosemarang.id · women.okezone.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Ministry of Health has mobilized 314 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and epidemiologists. halosemarang.id · en.antaranews.com · www.medcom.id · women.okezone.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Six of the seven affected provinces have declared an emergency alert status due to a prolonged drought. halosemarang.id · women.okezone.com · en.antaranews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Wildfires have spread across 87 districts and municipalities in seven Indonesian provinces. halosemarang.id · en.tempo.co · women.okezone.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Approximately 3 million people in 37 districts and cities have been directly exposed to haze from wildfires. halosemarang.id · en.tempo.co · women.okezone.com · en.antaranews.com · www.medcom.id · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Acute respiratory infection (ISPA) cases in Central Kalimantan increased by 78.1 percent in one week, from 402 to 716 cases. halosemarang.id · women.okezone.com · en.antaranews.com · www.medcom.id
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry of Health has distributed 278,940 face masks and other medical supplies to affected areas. halosemarang.id · en.antaranews.com · www.medcom.id
- [● 5 SOURCES] West Kalimantan has recorded more than 151,000 ISPA cases since January 2026. halosemarang.id · women.okezone.com · en.antaranews.com · www.medcom.id
- [DISPUTED] Nearly 940 square kilometers of land were burned in July. www.npr.org · www.ksfr.org · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Wildfire smoke has crossed into Malaysia and Brunei. mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Haze in West Sumatra is caused by smoke drifting from Jambi, Riau, and South Sumatra. news.republika.co.id · www.viva.co.id
- [● 4 SOURCES] West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan recorded 1,226 and 811 hot spots respectively. www.npr.org · www.ksfr.org · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com