Davao Region air quality stays good as DENR watches for Indonesian forest fire smoke

Air quality in four monitored areas of the Davao Region remains in the good category, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB 11) said, as it keeps an eye on smoke from forest fires burning in Indonesia, according to Edge Davao.

The bureau's latest ambient air quality report covered Tagum, Calinan in Davao City, Digos and Malita. For fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 32 in Tagum, 34 in Calinan, 19.2 in Digos and 37 in Malita.

Readings for coarser particulate matter (PM10) were also rated good, with Calinan at an AQI of 43.5 and both Digos and Malita at 19.4.

DENR-EMB 11 said current pollution levels in these areas are not expected to harm the general public, and residents may go about their usual outdoor activities.

The agency, however, is tracking the possible spread of smoke from ongoing forest fires in South Papua and Kalimantan, Indonesia. Citing forecasts from the Copernicus Fire Emission Watch and Zoom Earth wind direction data, it said prevailing winds could push smoke toward Mindanao. This could raise PM2.5 levels and bring haze and reduced visibility to some parts of the region.

How much the region might be affected, and for how long, would depend on wind direction, atmospheric dispersion, rainfall and whether the fires in Indonesia continue, the bureau said.

DENR-EMB 11 said it will continue monitoring air conditions across the region and urged residents to follow its official communication channels for updated results and advisories.