Haze over Papua from forest fires causes mass disruptions, health issues

Haze and smoke from large wildfires in Indonesia, including West Papua, have resulted in flight disruptions and respiratory problems in the region and are also affecting neighbouring Papua New Guinea.

The fires are concentrated around parts of Indonesia where there has been large scale land and forest clearance, often for oil palm plantations, including Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua.

Prolonged dry conditions due to an intensifying El Niño phase in the wider region have exacerbated the conditions for such fires.

The Jakarta Globe reported reported widespread flight disruptions as as smoke reduced visibility at several airports, causing delays, cancellations, and diversions.

Papua's Jubi News reports that thick smoke haze has blanketed Mimika Regency in Central Papua, with smoke from forest and land fires in Merauke Regency, South Papua, carried by the wind into the region.