Every dry season, peatland and forest fires return to Indonesia’s Kalimantan region, blanketing communities in hazardous smoke. In Central Kalimantan, worsening air pollution has triggered a surge in respiratory illnesses, with health authorities reporting more than 113,000 infections and 12.5 million people affected nationwide. Families like Christina’s in Palangka Raya worry most about young children, who are particularly vulnerable to smoke-related health risks. As firefighters struggle to contain deep-burning peat fires, volunteers distribute masks and oxygen while “haze-free” shelters offer clean air to those in need. Environmental groups say land clearing, plantation expansion and canalisation have increased fire risks by drying peatlands. With carbon emissions approaching levels seen during Indonesia’s devastating 2015 fire season, communities are hoping for rain and relief from a crisis that also affects neighboring countries including Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.