12.5 Million People Affected by Forest Fires Across Seven Provinces, Four Deaths Reported
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has recorded 12,517,488 residents affected by forest and land fires (karhutla) across seven provinces as of Wednesday (9/9/2026). Out of the total affected population, four deaths have been reported.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Widyawati stated that the 12.5 million affected individuals are located in South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Jambi, Riau, and South Sumatra. The casualties include four deaths, 324 serious injuries, 23 minor injuries, and 45 displaced persons.
“In Banjarbaru, several individuals have suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalisation, as well as minor injuries requiring outpatient care. Central Kalimantan also has hospitalised patients and minor injuries. West Kalimantan has recorded nine serious injuries, 19 minor injuries, one death, and 45 displaced persons,” she said during an online press conference on Thursday (10/9/2026).
According to Ministry of Health data sourced from Provincial Health Offices as of 9 September 2026, at 15:00 WIB, there are 2,250,552 people affected by fires in South Kalimantan, with two serious injuries and three minor injuries. Meanwhile, Central Kalimantan has 2,843,012 affected individuals, including 313 serious injuries and three deaths. West Kalimantan has 3,909,846 affected people, with nine serious injuries, 19 minor injuries, one death, and 45 displaced persons.
The Ministry also noted 436 affected individuals in East Kalimantan, 1,890,880 in Jambi, 1,224,239 in Riau, and 398,523 in South Sumatra. In these four provinces, no injuries, deaths, or displacements were recorded.
Widyawati added that the fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra have caused significant air pollution. Based on the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU), at least six regencies/cities have entered the hazardous (black) category, while five regencies are classified as very unhealthy.
ISPU data as of 9 September 2026 at 16:24 WIB shows the worst air quality was recorded in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, with an ISPU value of 954 and critical PM10 parameters. This was followed by Kubu Raya Kapuas in West Kalimantan at 522, Pontianak in West Kalimantan at 444, Katingan in Central Kalimantan at 405, Gunung Mas Regency at 347, and Murung Raya at 317.
Additionally, several areas fell into the very unhealthy category, including Sintang Baning Kota (ISPU 284), Sekadau Hilir (225), Kapuas Regency (221), Muaro Jambi (221), and Tebo (206). Other regions remain in the unhealthy category with values ranging between 104 and 187.
Regarding Acute Respiratory Infection (ISPA) cases, Widyawati stated that cumulative reports reached 113,336 as of 9 September 2026 at 16:00 WIB, with 4,080 new cases identified on 9 September 2026. The cases are divided into two age groups: 26,545 cases for children aged 0 to 5 years, and 86,791 cases for those over 5 years old. The impact spans 7 provinces and 63 regencies/cities.
The Ministry of Health has prepared health service posts in ,1691 community health centres (puskesmas) and 360 referral hospitals to manage the health impacts of the fires. The Ministry has also mobilised 87 public health laboratories, PSC 119, and health reserve personnel in the affected areas.
Furthermore, 980,315 masks have been distributed to the public, alongside 277 oxygen concentrators, 36 oxygen cylinders, 4,908 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 120 face shields, nine air purifiers, and 248 supplementary food packages. “Our advice is: do not panic, but remain vigilant. Wear a mask when outdoors, monitor the air quality index, drink plenty of water, and visit a health facility if you experience shortness of breath,” Widyawati urged.