Kolaka Timur wildfires burn 273 hectares and cause respiratory illnesses

Wildfires in Kolaka Timur, Southeast Sulawesi, have burned approximately 273 hectares of land, including significant peatland areas. The fires have spread across five districts, with the Lalolae district being among the most heavily affected.

The smoke from the ongoing fires has caused health issues for local residents. In the Lalolae district, 123 people have been diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Infections (ISPA), reporting symptoms such as coughing, fever, sore throats, and shortness of breath. Local health officials have distributed 3,000 masks to students and the public to mitigate smoke exposure.

Firefighting efforts led by Manggala Agni personnel and the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) face significant challenges. Responders are struggling with limited personnel, unpredictable wind directions, extreme heat, and a lack of water sources. In some areas, such as Keisio Village, workers have had to manually dig for water using hand tools to combat the flames.