Rains bring relief to Indonesian city weary of fire haze

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 30, 2026

Intermittent rains have eased the severe haze caused by extensive wildfires in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, providing relief to residents and firefighters after months of dangerous air pollution. Despite the temporary improvement, air quality remains unhealthy and authorities are continuing efforts like cloud seeding and water bombing to prevent further fires amid ongoing dry conditions.

Intermittent rains brought relief this week to Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province on Indonesian Borneo, where months of persistent wildfires have caused hazardous haze and widespread health impacts. The downpours provided a temporary respite to residents and volunteer firefighters who have been contending with the severe pollution since August.

Exhausted volunteer firefighters expressed gratitude as rain fell on Wednesday night, with some celebrating by dancing and prostrating themselves on the ground. “We were overjoyed, every one of us volunteers was so happy that we prostrated ourselves in gratitude,” said firefighter Lukman El Hakim.

The wildfire crisis has prompted more than 11,000 respiratory infection cases in Palangkaraya alone, with air quality levels reaching a record high of 4,000 on the city’s air quality index this month—over 13 times the national environment ministry’s hazardous threshold. The World Health Organization has linked exposure to fine particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, to increased risks of illness and premature death. Residents such as Muhammad Jihan Alwi, 23, have taken advantage of improved conditions to resume outdoor activities like jogging, which have been curtailed for months.

Although the rain has reduced PM2.5 concentrations, air quality remains in the “unhealthy” category, according to the BMKG climatology agency. BMKG official Tri Handoko Seto emphasized that while recent rains have brought some improvement, dry weather is expected to continue for the near term, raising the risk of further wildfires before the peak of the rainy season arrives. “There is still the possibility of another dry period,” Tri said, noting ongoing efforts to stimulate rainfall through cloud seeding and water bombing across six Indonesian provinces.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is currently deploying 61 aircraft for these operations. Light to heavy rains have recently been reported not only in Central Kalimantan but also in South Kalimantan and South Sumatra.

The fires have claimed at least 11 lives, including a 45-year-old forest ranger who was killed by a falling tree while combating flames in North Toraja, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for igniting the fires. National police detective Asep Safrudin reported that 245 individuals and 20 corporations have been identified as suspects, potentially facing jail terms and heavy fines.

According to the deforestation monitoring group Nusantara Atlas, the wildfires have affected more than 1.9 million hectares across Indonesia during the first nine months of the year. The resulting haze has also affected neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and East Timor, straining Indonesia’s relationships with these nations. Experts attribute the wildfire outbreak largely to slash-and-burn land-clearing practices frequently employed by timber and palm oil companies.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.