Residents of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, are struggling to cope with hazardous air pollution caused by widespread wildfires on Indonesia’s portion of Borneo island. The blazes, exacerbated by the El Nino climate pattern, have severely degraded air quality, forcing many to endure persistent smoke and concerns over their health.

The city’s international airport was temporarily shut down over the weekend as dense, yellow haze blanketed the area. Air quality readings in Pontianak spiked to more than 1,100 on the Air Quality Index, nearly four times above the threshold considered hazardous, according to local accounts.

“I feel chest tightness, dizziness, and burning eyes while working in this unhealthy air,” said Anggita Putri, a 28-year-old resident and mother of a three-year-old son. She expressed particular worry about her child’s health amid the ongoing crisis. Similarly, university lecturer Djunita Permata Indah, 35, stated that she and her two young children have suffered the effects of the pollution, with symptoms including headaches and dizziness. Despite these concerns, many families feel compelled to continue normal activities, including sending children to daycare, where exposure to smoke remains high.

The health ministry reported that since early 2026, more than 113,000 cases of upper respiratory infections have been documented across seven provinces affected by the fires. Efforts to find relief through rainfall on Tuesday were met with disappointment, as the brief showers failed to reduce the haze and, according to some residents, even worsened the smoke density.

Indonesia shares Borneo with Malaysia and Brunei. The current outbreak of forest fires is part of a broader regional environmental challenge linked to the El Nino phenomenon, which has contributed to dry conditions and increased fire risk in Southeast Asia and beyond. Efforts to manage the blazes and protect public health continue amid persistent smoky conditions and widespread community concern.