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Mamuju, the capital of West Sulawesi province in Indonesia, occupies a distinctive coastal position on the western shore of Sulawesi Island, nestled between the Makassar Strait to the west and the rugged interior highlands to the east. This city of approximately 278,764 residents sits at low elevation near sea level, with its urban core extending along a narrow coastal plain that gradually rises into foothills, creating a compressed urban-rural gradient where dense settlement transitions quickly to agricultural zones and forested slopes. The surrounding landscape is characterised by tropical rainforests, rice paddies, and coconut plantations, with the Mamuju River flowing through the city into the strait. Mamuju's location in Southeast Asia's maritime continent places it within a region of complex air circulation patterns, where its proximity to the Makassar Strait influences local breezes but also exposes it to transboundary haze from land-clearing fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra during dry seasons. The city's air quality is primarily affected by local urban sources—vehicle emissions from its growing motorcycle and car fleet, small-scale industries like wood processing and food production, and domestic burning—compounded by occasional agricultural burning in nearby rural areas. The coastal setting typically aids dispersion, but the encircling hills can trap pollutants under certain meteorological conditions, particularly during calm periods when sea breezes weaken.

Mamuju experiences a tropical monsoon climate with two primary seasons that shape its air quality patterns, though variations occur year-to-year. From November to April, the northwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall and higher humidity, which generally suppress particulate pollution through wet deposition and enhanced dispersion; this period offers the best conditions for outdoor activities, with December to February being particularly favourable. However, brief dry spells within the wet season can allow pollutant accumulation, especially from urban sources. From May to October, the southeast monsoon dominates with drier conditions and stronger winds from the interior, potentially transporting smoke from agricultural and forest fires in Kalimantan across the Makassar Strait, leading to episodic haze events that peak around August to September. Temperature inversions are rare due to the coastal location, but morning fog can occasionally trap local emissions. Sensitive groups—such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—should monitor air quality reports during the dry season, limit strenuous outdoor activities when haze is reported, and consider using air purifiers indoors. The transitional months of April-May and October-November typically see moderate air quality, offering reasonable windows for outdoor pursuits with occasional precautions.