Palangka Raya, C. Kalimantan. Haze from forest and land fires (karhutla) continued to blanket Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, on Thursday, pushing air quality in the city into the “very unhealthy” category.

Air quality monitoring website AQI.in put Palangka Raya’s air quality index at 199 as of 1 p.m. Thursday, placing it in the “very unhealthy” category. The city was ranked the world’s most polluted city at the time.

Haze was reported across several parts of Palangka Raya from Thursday morning, reducing visibility on some roads and disrupting residents’ daily activities. Some people continuing to work or travel outdoors were seen wearing masks to reduce exposure.

The PM2.5 levels were linked to ongoing forest and land fires in several parts of Central Kalimantan. Such fires are a recurring problem during the dry season, when dry conditions and weather patterns can increase the risk of fires spreading.

High levels of fine particulate matter can pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, older people, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions.

Local health authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities while air quality remains very unhealthy. Those who need to go outside are advised to wear masks to reduce exposure to smoke and fine particles.

Firefighting efforts in Palangka Raya were continuing amid the worsening air quality. The Palangka Raya Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said at least 32 forest and land fire hotspots were still being handled as of Thursday.

The hotspots were spread across three subdistricts, with the largest concentration in Jekan Raya. The total area burned by forest and land fires in Palangka Raya had reached 440.83 hectares as of Thursday.

Firefighters have faced several challenges in containing the fires, including limited access to water sources for firefighting.

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