‘Everything is covered in ash’: Indonesia wildfires leave people in crisis
Summary
Large wildfires have been burning across Indonesia for more than a month, especially affecting areas like West Kalimantan. These fires have caused schools to close, forced people to evacuate, and exposed millions to harmful smoke and ash, leading to widespread health problems.Key Facts
- Wildfires have spread through major islands including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, and Papua.
- The fires are similar in size and severity to the 2016 wildfires in Indonesia.
- The government has deployed helicopters, aircraft, water pumps, and thousands of personnel to fight the fires.
- About 3.4 million people are at risk of breathing problems due to smoke and ash exposure.
- Health officials have distributed over 260,000 face masks to people in heavily affected areas.
- Emergency workers face challenges like limited equipment, water shortages, and poor visibility from haze.
- Common health issues include coughing, sore throats, bronchitis, and risks of more serious diseases.
- Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable, with many needing repeated medical care because of the smoke.
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