Zamboanga City air quality hits 'emergency level' amid Indonesia forest fire

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An alarming level of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentration in the air has been recorded in a station in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur amid the ongoing forest fire in Kalimatan, Indonesia, the latest monitoring by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) showed.

As of 12 noon on Wednesday, October 14, an “emergency” level of air quality was logged at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Tumaga station in Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, several stations in the Visayas and Mindanao were deemed unhealthy:

Acutely Unhealthy

• WMSU, San Ramon, Talisayan, Zamboanga City

Very Unhealthy

• Talisay City
• Santa Cruz, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

• DENR X Compound, Cagayan de Oro City
• Iligan City
• Barangay Culaman, Malita, Davao Occidental

Meycauayan City AQMS, me is the lone station in Luzon that detected poor air quality, which is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.

“The observed haze is possibly associated with smoke and transboundary haze from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, which may have been transported toward the Philippines by prevailing winds,” said DENR-EMB.

The fires in Kalimantan began in August. But improvements in the air quality in Metro Manila started in early September due to the change in wind directions.

The DENR-EMB advised the public to minimize prolonged outdoor activities, particularly in areas visibly affected by haze.

“Persons sensitive to air pollution, including children, older persons, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, are advised to limit outdoor exposure and take necessary precaution,” the department said.

Wearing of face masks, particularly an N95, is highly advised. —VAL, GMA News