Indonesia's Kalimantan Blanketed in Orange Smog as Air Pollution Soars Past Hazardous Levels
A thick orange smog has descended on Palangka Raya, the capital of Indonesia's Central Kalimantan province, as wildfires continue to burn across the Kalimantan region on Borneo island. Videos from witnesses showed the haze washing over the city, turning the sky a murky orange and reducing visibility.
The Indonesian environment ministry's air pollution standard index, known as ISPU, exceeded 1,200 on Wednesday, according to national environment ministry data. That is four times higher than the level of 300 that the index classifies as hazardous. The reading indicates extremely poor air quality, with fine particulate matter and other pollutants that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The toxic smog is affecting millions of people across Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Authorities have partly blamed the agricultural clearing method known as slash-and-burn for compounding the intense haze. The method involves setting fire to forests and land to clear them for cultivation, often at the end of the dry season. Fires can spread into peatlands, which store large amounts of carbon and can smoulder for weeks, producing dense smoke.
Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, has seen repeated fire outbreaks in recent years. The province of Central Kalimantan is home to vast peatland areas. When peat burns, it releases a mix of gases and fine particles that are particularly harmful to human health. The smoke can travel long distances, carried by prevailing winds across borders.
The haze is not only an environmental problem but also a public health and regional issue. Severe haze episodes have been associated with rises in respiratory cases. Children, the elderly and people with pre-existing lung or heart conditions are most vulnerable. Health authorities advise residents to stay indoors when possible, use masks if they must go outside, and keep windows closed. However, many people cannot avoid outdoor work, and the economic cost of the haze is significant.
Singapore and Malaysia have also been affected by the transboundary haze. In the past, the three countries have discussed ways to tackle the problem, including through the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The agreement, signed in 2002, aims to prevent and monitor haze pollution. Indonesia ratified it in 2014. Enforcement remains a challenge, especially because fires are often started by small farmers and larger plantations alike. Authorities have said they are investigating and taking action against illegal burning.
Slash-and-burn is illegal in Indonesia, but it persists because it is a cheap way to clear land. Some companies and smallholders use fire to prepare land for palm oil, pulpwood and other crops. The practice is difficult to police across remote areas. In dry years, fires can escape and burn out of control. El Niño weather patterns, which bring drier conditions to Southeast Asia, can worsen the situation.
The current haze has prompted concerns about another prolonged episode. In previous severe episodes, governments in the region deployed personnel to fight fires and used water-bombing aircraft. Weather modification efforts, such as cloud seeding, have also been used in previous years to induce rain. Nevertheless, without sustained prevention, the cycle of fires and haze is likely to continue.
For residents of Palangka Raya and other affected cities, the immediate concern is breathing safely. The orange sky is a visible sign of an invisible danger. While the haze may eventually lift with rain or shifting winds, the underlying causes remain. Addressing them will require stronger enforcement, alternative farming methods, and regional cooperation. The health of millions depends on it.
