Palangkaraya: thousands treated
More than 11,000 people have been treated for respiratory infections due to the wildfire smoke in Palangkaraya, Indonesian Borneo.
A wildfire in Palangkaraya, Indonesian Borneo, has led to thousands of people being treated for respiratory infections, with the smoke causing hazardous air quality.
How is the fire developing?
The Indonesian government has set up oxygen facilities to help those affected. The Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, has visited the area to assess the situation and ensure that healthcare facilities are prepared to handle the influx of patients. ## Health Concerns
The hazardous air quality has caused disruptions to daily life, with evacuations and health warnings in place.
What does this mean for residents?
The wildfire has disrupted daily life, with thousands of people seeking medical attention for respiratory infections.
Timeline
- Tempo.co English:
Forest Fire Haze Continues to Shroud Central Kalimantan
- cnnindonesia.com:
Catatan Menkes Usai Turun Langsung ke Palangka Raya di Tengah Karhutla
- detik.com:
Asap Karhutla Masih Jadi Ancaman, Kasus ISPA Kalteng Melonjak-Faskes Siaga
- france24.com:
Gasping for air: Borneo residents struggle as island burns
What we don’t know yet
The cause of the wildfire in Palangkaraya is not known, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Background
Indonesia has experienced a significant increase in wildfires in 2026, with over 1.9 million hectares of land burned, according to satellite data.
What to watch next
The situation in Palangkaraya remains a concern, with residents and visitors advised to monitor the situation and take necessary precautions to protect their health. The full impact of the wildfire on the community is still unfolding.
Sources
- france24.com: Gasping for air: Borneo residents struggle as island burns (26 Oct)
- detik.com: Asap Karhutla Masih Jadi Ancaman, Kasus ISPA Kalteng Melonjak-Faskes Siaga (26 Oct)
- cnnindonesia.com: Catatan Menkes Usai Turun Langsung ke Palangka Raya di Tengah Karhutla (24 Oct)
- Tempo.co English: Forest Fire Haze Continues to Shroud Central Kalimantan (24 Oct)
About this article: written with the help of AI from the sources listed and our own satellite measurements, and checked by the editors before publication. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
More about fires in Indonesia
All →Sampit: wildfire crisis shrouds Central Kalimantan
Hundreds of students protested in Palangkaraya, demanding the government do more to tackle the wildfire crisis that has shrouded their city and the wider region in toxic haze for months.
Wiralaga Mulya: wildfire grows, six hotspots detected
The fire is burning weakly but has grown, with six hotspots detected in the area.
Kuala Pembuang: small wildfire burns
The fire is burning moderately, affecting air quality in the region