Dyah Ayu Pitaloka & Jeis Montesori, Malang/Palembang – Health-threatening haze generated by forest fires hit several areas across Indonesia on Tuesday, forcing authorities to be on high disaster alert.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) raised the alert level for Central Kalimantan, saying there was a potential threat of widespread forest fires and associated haze on Tuesday.

In the last week, fire has been reported in the districts of East Kotawaringin, Palang Pisau, Kapuas and Katingan, impacting people's health in and around the area, including Palangkaraya, the provincial capital.

The BNPB urged the government to begin setting up observation posts as well as mobile health clinics to anticipate forest fires and haze-related illnesses.

Central Kalimantan Police Chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Hermanu said law enforcers were also taking measures against those setting the fires. Police have so far arrested 24 people suspected of starting fires in several areas across the province.

On Tuesday, haze continued to hit the city of Palangkaraya, limiting visibility and causing flights to be cancelled or delayed. Thick haze has also caused respiratory problems for some, including patients of the local public hospital.

Thick haze also hit several cities and districts in Sumatra's Jambi province since last week, as forest fires continued to rage in Jambi and the neighboring province of South Sumatra. The haze receded temporarily over the weekend due to rain, but was back again on Monday and Tuesday.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/high-disaster-alert-fire-haze-continue-smolder/