PALANGKA RAYA: The regional government in Central Kalimantan has deployed mobile oxygen buses to assist residents experiencing respiratory problems caused by haze from forest and land fires (karhutla). The service is being provided in Palangka Raya City as air quality continues to deteriorate and the fires show no signs of abating.
The forest fires that have ravaged several regions of Indonesia this year are reportedly among the worst in more than a decade. The situation is exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, which increases temperatures and makes forests and peatlands more vulnerable to fire.
Oxygen Buses Provided for Haze-Affected Residents
The local government has provided special white and blue buses equipped with oxygen tanks and medical personnel. These mobile facilities allow residents to receive oxygen assistance when experiencing breathing difficulties due to smoke exposure.
Residents who come can receive oxygen through a small tube inserted into the nose for about five to ten minutes for each service session.
The Central Kalimantan Provincial Health Office explained via its official Instagram account that the service is intended for people who need respiratory assistance amidst unhealthy air conditions.
“This service aims to help people gain access to oxygen, especially those experiencing respiratory problems or requiring oxygen support amidst unhealthy air quality,” explained the Central Kalimantan Health Office.
Medical personnel on duty on the bus also recorded the residents’ identities and health conditions before providing oxygen assistance.
One of the officers, Yuda, said that most of the people who used the service came with complaints of coughing and difficulty breathing.
Air Pollution in Kalimantan and Sumatra Reaches Dangerous Levels
Haze caused by forest and land fires has caused a significant decline in air quality in a number of regions in Indonesia.
According to Indonesia’s air pollution index data, several areas in Kalimantan and Sumatra recorded pollution levels exceeding 1,000. By comparison, an index value of 300 or higher is considered hazardous.
El Niño Phenomenon Worsens Forest Fires
A strong El Niño phenomenon also exacerbated the fires in 2026. Rising temperatures and drier environmental conditions made vegetation and peatlands more flammable.
The impact of the fires wasn’t limited to Indonesia. The haze also spread to Malaysia and Singapore, turning the skies in some areas orange.
Seasonal forest fires are a recurring problem in Indonesia, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan. However, the intensity of these fires this year is reportedly much higher than in previous years.
Around 350,000 Cases of Respiratory Disorders Reported
The Ministry of Health recorded approximately 350,000 cases of respiratory illnesses related to forest fires during the period from August to October 25, 2026.
Of that number, Central Kalimantan reported around 31,000 cases as of October 25.
The increase in cases shows the significant impact of the haze on public health, especially for residents who have to carry out their daily activities outdoors.
Residents Complain of Shortness of Breath and Coughing
Oktawina, a 44-year-old resident, is one of the users of the oxygen bus service in Palangka Raya.
While receiving oxygen support through a tube attached to his nose, he expressed concern about the worsening environmental conditions.
“This is a natural disaster and there is not much we can do,” said Oktawina.
Another resident, Purnasari, 31 years old, admitted to experiencing shortness of breath and coughing after doing activities outside the house.
“Lately, whenever I leave the house, I feel short of breath and cough. Especially this morning, the smoke was so thick and yellowish, making my breathing even more difficult,” he said.
Similar complaints were also conveyed by a number of residents who came to the oxygen bus to obtain medical assistance.
Students Urge More Serious Handling of Forest and Land Fires
Amid worsening haze conditions, communities have begun to voice demands for improved handling of forest and land fires.
According to a Kompas report, hundreds of students held a demonstration at the Central Kalimantan governor’s office last week.
The students urged the government to take greater steps to address the fires and the impact of the haze on people’s health and lives.
The action took place when Palangka Raya residents were still facing air pollution that disrupted their daily activities.
Fire Fighting and Health Protection Are Priorities
The provision of oxygen buses is one form of emergency health service for communities affected by the haze in Central Kalimantan.
However, oxygen support is temporary and does not address the primary source of air pollution. Forest and land fire control remains necessary to sustainably reduce smoke exposure.
With approximately 350,000 cases of respiratory illnesses recorded nationwide since August, the health impacts of forest and land fires are a serious concern. As long as the fires remain under control, communities in affected areas remain at risk from poor air quality.
Yoga Mahendra adalah penulis di Pospapua.com yang meliput berbagai topik, termasuk berita, politik, bisnis, teknologi, olahraga, hiburan, dan gaya hidup. Ia berfokus pada penyajian informasi yang jelas, akurat, dan mudah dipahami, sehingga pembaca dapat mengikuti perkembangan isu terkini dengan lebih baik. Melalui pelaporan yang informatif dan relevan, Yoga menghadirkan berita serta cerita yang dekat dengan kebutuhan dan minat pembaca, sambil mengedepankan fakta dan konteks yang penting.
More Stories
Nitrux 7.0 Hadir Tanpa systemd dengan Linux Kernel 7.2 dan Hyprland 0.55.4
Penangkapan Ikan dengan Bom Mengancam Terumbu Karang Indonesia
Indonesia Siapkan Kewarganegaraan Ganda Terbatas untuk Talenta Diaspora