Indonesian wildfire haze may linger over Iloilo until Sept. 6

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY – Hazy conditions may continue over parts of Iloilo on Sept. 5 and 6 as smoke and aerosols from wildfires in Indonesia are expected to drift toward Panay Island, according to the Provincial Community Defense Action Center–Iloilo (PCDAC).

The Aug. 26 to Sept. 6 forecast showed elevated aerosol concentrations reaching parts of the Philippines, with prevailing winds associated with the southwest monsoon, or habagat, potentially carrying the haze toward Iloilo.

The forecast, based on data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), indicated that Iloilo recorded its highest aerosol levels around Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that haze remained minimal across most monitored areas in the province as of Sept. 4.

Concepcion was the only municipality where haze was generally visible, while 29 other localities reported minimal haze.

The areas reporting minimal haze were Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, Leganes, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Badiangan, Bingawan, Lambunao, Janiuay, Maasin, Mina, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Passi City, San Enrique, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Estancia, San Rafael, and Sara.

Haze conditions also varied by elevation in some areas.

Alimodian, Tubungan, and Calinog reported visible haze in upland areas, while their low-lying areas reported minimal haze.

Both upland and low-lying areas in Leon reported minimal haze.

In Lemery, haze was minimal in upland areas but was not visible in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, Cabatuan, Pototan, and Dueñas reported no visible haze.

No haze-related health effects were reported in the monitored areas.

The Sept. 4 report marks a shift from earlier in the week, when the PDRRMO reported haze in at least four municipalities as of Sept. 2, namely Alimodian, Miagao, Igbaras, and Tubungan.

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre confirmed on Sept. 1 that moderate smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan had reached parts of Panay Island, with plumes traced to hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra where dry conditions have persisted.

Monitoring by the Environmental Management Bureau-6 from Aug. 28 to 31 showed the PM2.5 Air Quality Index in Metro Iloilo remained within the “Good to Fair” category, although an increase was recorded on Aug. 31.

Residents were advised to wear masks when going outdoors, stay hydrated, and keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to limit haze from entering homes.

Residents were also urged to monitor their health, with particular attention to children, older adults, and people with respiratory illnesses.