Smoke Exposure, Governor of South Kalimantan Urges People to Wear Mask

Banjarmasin: The people affected by forest and land fire in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan are urged to take and wear mask when there is a mask distribution. Wearing a mask is important for self-protection from exposure to smoke.

“If there is a distribution of masks, please take and wear it,” said the Governor of South Kalimantan H. Muhidin, as reported by Antara, Monday, August 24, 2026.

He considers the public health protection must be a consideration as the smoke continues to rise from several wild fire hotspots. Particularly, the people who are in the vicinity of the fire may experience health problems due to exposure to smoke.

People who experience health complaints, especially Acute Respiratory Infection (ISPA), are urged to access healthcare services that have been set up in the affected areas.

“There is a healthcare service in Gunung Damar and Pengayuan. If experiencing ISPA or suffering from any illness, get checked straight away,” he said.

Muhidin emphasized the management of wild fire effects is not only regarding firefighting. Management also includes protection to the people who are in the vicinity of the fire.

He encourages people not to ignore the air condition when smoke begins to appear and remain to take care of their own health. Masks those are distributed to the people are one of support to decrease the exposure to smoke.

Muhidin called for the healthcare services in the affected areas to remain on standby to treat people who experience health problems due to smoke of wild fire He also urged the people to look after their health whilst these conditions persist.


(Khairunissa Auliya)