In Palangka Raya on Indonesia’s Borneo island, local authorities run free “oxygen buses” equipped with tanks to provide breathing relief for residents choking on haze from intense forest fires. The buses offer an immediate sanctuary while haze affects daily life and respiratory health.
Across outlets, the emergency is linked to forest blazes burning more intensely than in more than a decade, with people facing toxic smoke and rising respiratory problems. Coverage notes that Indonesia routinely battles seasonal fires, particularly on Sumatra and Borneo, and that this year’s conditions are worsening. South China Morning Post adds environmental context about unusually high temperatures and drought risk tied to El Niño.
Channel NewsAsia and VnExpress International both emphasize the on-the-ground response: oxygen is administered to help residents. The reports frame the buses as a practical measure in Central Kalimantan as the fires continue and haze persists.
