South Sumatra forest fires cause unhealthy air and threaten toll roads

Forest and land fires (karhutla) in South Sumatra have triggered significant environmental and safety concerns. In the Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency, joint teams including the TNI, police (Polres OKI), and local residents worked to extinguish fires in Perigi, Kayuagung, covering an area of over one hectare.

Authorities also responded to a fire threatening the Kapal Betung toll road (Kayuagung–Palembang–Betung) at KM 342-A to prevent smoke from obstructing driver visibility and to ensure road safety.

In Muara Enim, the accumulation of smoke from local land fires and neighboring areas has caused air quality to reach an unhealthy level, with the Air Pollution Index (ISPU) hitting 112. The haze has reduced visibility to between 50 and 100 meters in some areas.