{
  "id": 267856,
  "title": "Unhealthy air in Sarawak from Kalimantan fires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/unhealthy-air-in-sarawak-from-kalimantan-fires",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T12:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/07/unhealthy-air-in-sarawak-from-kalimantan-fires"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kuching, Sarawak, is experiencing hazy conditions as haze continues to impact parts of Borneo. Southern Sarawak is recording unhealthy air quality, while Pontianak, Indonesia, reports very unhealthy air conditions due to forest and land fires in Kalimantan. The Borneo Post notes that Sarawak's highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 162 was recorded in Serian, followed by 140 in Samarahan and 139 in Kuching. An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as \"unhealthy\" and may pose health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues. Pontianak recorded an Air Quality Index of 226, placing it in the \"very unhealthy\" category. The Asean Meteorological Centre reported 905 hotspots in Kalimantan over three days, compared to just six in Sarawak, indicating Indonesia remains the primary source of the haze. Forest and land fires have worsened air quality in Pontianak, with smoke seeping into urban areas. Meteorologists forecast hazy conditions to persist tomorrow in 19 areas, including Bau, Bintulu, Dalat, Daro, Kanowit, Kapit, Kuching, Lundu, Matu, Miri, Mukah, Samarahan, Sarikei, Selangau, Sibu, Simunjan, Song, and Tatau. Indonesian health authorities advise residents to limit outdoor activities until air quality improves, suggesting keeping doors and windows closed, wearing masks outdoors, and using air purifiers when possible. PM2.5 particles, the main pollutant in haze, can deeply penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory problems, particularly among children, older people, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions.",
  "summary": "Unhealthy air quality continues to affect parts of Borneo, with southern Sarawak recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of 162 in Serian, 140 in Samarahan, and 139 in Kuching. This poses health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Meanwhile, Pontianak in Indonesia has reported very unhealthy air conditions with an AQI of 226, indicating a \"very unhealthy\" category. The meteorological department forecasts hazy conditions to persist in 19 areas, including Kuching, Bau, Bintulu, and others. Indonesian health authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activities, keep doors and windows closed, wear face masks outdoors, and use air purifiers where possible.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Antara News Indonesia",
        "title": "BNPB deploys more helicopters to fight W Kalimantan fires",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/bnpb-deploys-more-helicopters-to-fight-w-kalimantan-fires",
        "published": "2026-08-07T15:04:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sarawak haze from Kalimantan fires worsens",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/sarawak-haze-from-kalimantan-fires-worsens",
        "published": "2026-08-08T02:32:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}