Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. Thick, yellowish haze from forest and land fires blanketed Palangka Raya on Friday, reducing visibility to as little as 30 to 50 meters and prompting residents to call for the government to declare the fires a national disaster.

The smoke was so dense that sunlight barely reached the streets, leaving the provincial capital dark from early morning and forcing motorists to drive cautiously.

Fine particulate pollution also reached hazardous levels, with PM2.5 concentrations recorded at 1,167 micrograms per cubic meter, according to local observations cited in the report. Exposure to these particles poses serious health risks, particularly for young children, older people, and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma.

Residents were urged to avoid outdoor activities to limit their exposure to the polluted air.

The Palangka Raya Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported 1,056 fire hotspots across the city's five districts: Jekan Raya, Sebangau, Bukit Batu, Pahandut, and Rakumpit. Fires in and around the city have contributed to the worsening haze.

The smoke has disrupted daily activities, raised road safety concerns, and fears over the health impacts of prolonged exposure.

Ahmadi, a Palangka Raya resident, said the haze had grown thicker and more severe by the day, leaving people struggling to find clean air.

“The haze in Palangka Raya is getting thicker and worse by the day. We are suffering because it feels as though there is nowhere left to breathe fresh air while forest and land fires continue,” he said.

Although the government had taken steps to tackle the fires, Ahmadi said more intensive action was needed as blazes continued in several areas.

He supported declaring the fires in Central Kalimantan a national disaster, arguing that such a move would enable the central government to provide additional personnel, equipment, and funding rather than leaving the provincial administration to shoulder much of the response.

“If it is declared a national disaster, the response will not depend solely on the Central Kalimantan provincial government. The central government can also step in with personnel, equipment, and funding. That would help extinguish the fires more quickly,” he said.

Ahmadi urged the government to take concrete measures to contain the fires and bring relief to residents whose daily lives and health have been affected by the persistent haze.

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