Indonesia’s choking wildfire, haze worsen breathing woes on Borneo

PONTIANAK, Indonesia — Thick haze blanketed the city of Pontianak on Borneo island as Indonesian authorities grappled with a surge in respiratory illnesses linked to raging forest fires. Mimi Marlina, a 45-year-old housewife, braved the smoky conditions while shopping for groceries, expressing concern over worsening health issues.

Despite wearing a mask, Mimi and others complained of breathing difficulties, fever, and coughing fits, exacerbated by the transboundary smog affecting neighboring Singapore and Malaysia. Health officials reported a surge in cases, with over 113,336 people affected by wildfire-related respiratory problems across seven provinces.

The province of West Kalimantan, where Pontianak is located, is among the hardest-hit areas due to intense wildfires fueled by a super-El Niño weather pattern and punishing drought. Oxygen assistance programs and international support, including aircraft from Japan, aim to mitigate the health crisis.