During a long dry season, forest and land fires often leave behind wildfire haze that spreads tens or even hundreds of kilometers. The smoke is more than a spoiled view. The fine particles in it can reach deep into the airways, trigger coughing and breathlessness, and worsen existing conditions. Here are practical steps to protect yourself and your family.

Why Wildfire Smoke Is Harmful

Fire smoke contains a mix of gases and particles. The biggest concern is fine particles such as PM2.5, which are far smaller than ordinary dust and can be inhaled all the way into the lungs. Exposure can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, and respiratory infections. The effect is heavier on vulnerable groups: babies and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with asthma, lung disease, or heart disease.

How to Read the Air Quality Index

Indonesia's Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) is a number describing air quality. The higher the number, the worse the air. The commonly used categories:

  • 1–50: Good
  • 51–100: Moderate
  • 101–200: Unhealthy
  • 201–300: Very unhealthy
  • 301 and above: Hazardous

The ISPU value is calculated from several pollutant parameters, including particles and certain gases. Check official data from government sites or apps and from BMKG for your region. The rules are set in an environment ministry regulation, so for an official reference look at government sources, because older sites still use different ranges.

Adjust Activity to Air Quality

  • Good or moderate: outdoor activity is generally fine, but sensitive groups should still watch for symptoms.
  • Unhealthy: cut back on strenuous outdoor activity, especially for children, the elderly, and people with breathing problems.
  • Very unhealthy or hazardous: stay indoors as much as possible, postpone outdoor exercise, and follow local government guidance, including school policies.

Choosing the Right Mask

Not every mask protects against fine particles.

  • Cloth masks and ordinary surgical masks block droplets and coarse dust but are less effective at filtering PM2.5.
  • Respirators such as N95 or KN95 are designed to filter most fine particles when sealed snugly on the face. Make sure there are no gaps around the nose and chin.
  • Replace a mask when it is wet, damaged, or hard to breathe through.
  • For small children, talk to a health worker about mask size and use, and do not force it if the child struggles to breathe.

A mask does not replace avoiding exposure, so spend less time outdoors when the air is bad.

Keeping Indoor Air Cleaner

  1. Close doors and windows when smoke is thick, especially during the hours of heaviest haze.
  2. Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter if possible, in the room where the family spends the most time, such as the bedroom.
  3. Avoid adding indoor pollution: no smoking, no burning trash, and less use of mosquito coils or candles.
  4. Wipe with a damp cloth rather than dry sweeping, which stirs up dust.
  5. Drink enough water to keep the airway lining moist.
  6. Use air conditioning on recirculation mode if available, and maintain its filters.

Warning Signs That Need a Doctor

Seek medical help promptly if you notice:

  • shortness of breath or wheezing that does not improve,
  • chest pain or pressure,
  • a persistent cough with bloody phlegm,
  • dizziness, severe weakness, or bluish lips,
  • asthma symptoms not controlled by your usual medicine,
  • high fever with cough in a child or an elderly person.

People with asthma or heart disease should keep extra supplies of their regular medicines and follow the action plan their doctor recommends.

What We Can Do to Prevent It

Most land and forest fires are triggered or worsened by human activity, for example clearing land by burning. Burning land breaks the law and endangers many people. Do not toss cigarette butts on dry land, report hotspots to local authorities, and support prevention efforts in your community. At the household level, choosing products from responsible farming and plantation practices also helps.

Closing

Wildfire haze is a real health threat, but much of the risk can be reduced. Get in the habit of checking the ISPU, keep a suitable mask on hand, keep indoor air as clean as you can, and learn the warning signs. Save the number of the nearest health facility, and talk through this plan with your family before the haze arrives, not after.