--- title: "Smoke-filled Skies Over Kalimantan as Wildfires Rage On" url: https://newscentral.site/smoke-filled-skies-over-kalimantan-as-wildfires-rage/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-31T10:30:42.000Z updated: 2026-11-01T10:48:14.243Z id: 189a056e-ad13-40c6-8ac4-e0208c44f805 source: "NBC News World https://www.nbcnews.com/world/indonesia/indonesia-wildfires-toxic-smog-choke-southeast-asia-rcna605175" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/smoke-filled-skies-over-kalimantan-as-wildfires-rage/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Smoke-filled Skies Over Kalimantan as Wildfires Rage On Devastating wildfires in central Kalimantan province, Indonesia have generated toxic smog that's blanketing the region, causing respiratory illnesses among residents, particularly children. Smoke-filled skies have become a daily spectacle for residents of central Kalimantan province in Indonesia, where devastating wildfires are generating toxic smog that's blanketing the region. The haze has taken on an otherworldly quality, with schoolteacher Natanael Undas describing it as "apocalyptic - like something out of a science fiction movie. According to Undas, his home is at the epicenter of the disaster, and he's witnessed firsthand the impact on air quality in the area. The situation has taken a toll on local residents, particularly children, who are suffering from respiratory illnesses due to prolonged exposure to the noxious fumes. Undas' own 2-year-old daughter is among those affected, experiencing constant sneezing fits despite being indoors with windows shut tight. Wildfires are an annual occurrence in Indonesia, where forests and peatlands are set ablaze as part of traditional land-clearing practices known as slash and burn". However, this year's fires have been exacerbated by a severe El Niño weather pattern, making it the country's worst fire season in over a decade. Protesters in Indonesia have taken to the streets to express their frustration and concern over the government's handling of the country's devastating wildfires. Hundreds of students and members of civil society groups marched through cities including Jakarta, calling for more action from President Prabowo Subianto. The protesters' demands include transparent and independent investigations into the causes of the fires, which have been exacerbated by a severe El Niño weather pattern. The Indonesian government has acknowledged the concerns, but protesters argue that more needs to be done to address the crisis. They also want the government to take tougher action against companies linked to the fires. The impact of the wildfires is not limited to Indonesia. Neighboring Singapore has been hit hard by air pollution from the fires, with levels reaching their highest since 2015. The Singaporean government has threatened to prosecute companies responsible for the devastation and is considering a joint task force with Indonesia to combat illegal land burning. Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir has vowed to use the full force of the law to hold accountable those who profit from the fires. This statement comes after a meeting between the foreign ministers of Singapore and Indonesia, where they discussed possible measures to address the crisis, including a joint task force. The Indonesian government has accused neighboring countries and other nations of contributing to the country's ongoing environmental crisis. Environmental organization Walhi recently released a report naming 66 companies linked to Singapore and 27 companies linked to Malaysia as being associated with fire hotspots in Indonesia. In response, the Indonesian authorities have identified 20 corporations suspected of involvement in the fires, including four from Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. These countries' governments have been approached for comment on these allegations. The haze caused by the wildfires has had far-reaching consequences, even threatening ancient cave paintings on Sulawesi Island that are believed to be around 67,000 years old. The health implications of the Indonesian wildfires have been severe, particularly for residents in nearby countries like Singapore. Outdoor activities, such as exercise, have become hazardous due to the toxic smog. People who normally engage in physical activities are now forced to stay indoors. A recent study published in September found a link between short-term increases in airborne fine particulate matter and increased emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses. The spikes in such visits coincided with periods of haze caused by Indonesian wildfires, specifically in 2016 and 2019. In Indonesia, the impact on public health has been significant. As of October 13, more than 283,000 cases of respiratory illness linked to the current fires had been reported in seven provinces. This is a stark increase from the 113,000 cases reported just two weeks prior. The haze has also disrupted daily life for residents like Tong, who can no longer see her neighbors due to poor visibility. She described how she was forced to stay indoors and avoid meeting friends at outdoor food courts, highlighting the social impact of the toxic smog. The toxic smog from Indonesia's wildfires has taken a toll on the lives of many in the region. For some, it has meant giving up outdoor activities they normally enjoy. A competitive ballroom dancer, for instance, has had to abandon her usual training routine due to the poor air quality. She would typically run outside to practice, but now finds herself short of breath even when trying to train indoors. The crowded gyms are a result of people seeking refuge from the smog. This is just one example of how the wildfires have disrupted daily life in the region. The situation is particularly dire for Indigenous tribes living in Borneo, where the fires are concentrated. For these communities, staying indoors isn't always an option as they rely on hunting and gathering to survive. In Sarawak's Baram region, a community of around 150 Penan people has been affected by the wildfires. The smoke from the fires has driven animals deeper into the jungle, making it harder for the community to hunt. Gathering food has also become more difficult due to eye irritation caused by the smoke. The community has even paused its traditional slash-and-burn farming techniques to avoid adding more smoke to the air. The community's health is being severely impacted by the toxic smog from the wildfires, with older residents experiencing coughing and breathing difficulties due to the poor air quality. Indonesia's efforts to combat the fires have been hindered by their complexity, as they involve both vegetation fires above ground and peat fires below. The latter are particularly challenging to extinguish, persisting for extended periods after being ignited. The delayed rainy season has meant that the fires were expected to continue until early November, but smaller showers in recent days have brought some respite, with firefighters celebrating the first clear skies in weeks and residents across the region rejoicing at the improved air quality. --- Source: [NBC News World](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/indonesia/indonesia-wildfires-toxic-smog-choke-southeast-asia-rcna605175) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/smoke-filled-skies-over-kalimantan-as-wildfires-rage/