Palembang, S. Sumatra. Smoke from forest and land fires is worsening air quality in Palembang, South Sumatra, with more than 9,300 cases of acute respiratory infections recorded in the city during the first three weeks of August, authorities said.

The Palembang Health Agency recorded 9,313 cases of acute respiratory infection (ARI) between Aug. 1 and Aug. 21, as haze from widespread fires spread across parts of South Sumatra.

Air quality in the provincial capital deteriorated further on Tuesday, with the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) reaching 195, a level classified as unhealthy. The reading was 80 points higher than the previous level of 115.

The deterioration comes as the number of fire hotspots across South Sumatra remains high. Monitoring data detected 1,344 hotspots on Aug. 23, with the largest concentrations reported in Ogan Komering Ilir, Musi Banyuasin, Muara Enim and Banyuasin.

The Palembang administration has stepped up its response by strengthening health facilities and distributing protective masks to residents. About 16,500 masks have been distributed at several locations across the city.

Authorities have urged vulnerable groups, including young children, elderly people and pregnant women, to take extra precautions. Residents experiencing breathing difficulties have also been advised to seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.

The Health Agency is continuing to monitor air quality and prepare health facilities for a potential increase in respiratory illnesses as the fire situation develops.

Data from the Forestry Ministry showed 2,894 hotspots across 10 provinces on Sumatra, with South Sumatra accounting for the largest share at 1,410, followed by Riau with 480 and Jambi with 425.

The ministry said fires had burned an estimated 36,000 hectares of land across the 10 Sumatran provinces in 2026, underscoring the scale of the ongoing fire and haze threat.

Indonesia has faced recurring forest and land fires during the dry season, with smoke from fires often affecting air quality, public health and transportation across parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan.

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