Air Quality in Palangka Raya Reaches Hazardous Level
Air quality in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, can currently reach hazardous levels due to exposure to smoke and soot from forest and land fires occurring in several areas of the region.
“Based on data from the Palangka Raya Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), air status based on Particulate Matter (PM) varies, ranging from moderate to hazardous at certain times,” said Samsul Rizal, Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development at the Palangka Raya Regional Secretariat, on Friday (21/8).
He stressed that the impact of forest and land fires is not limited to environmental damage. The resulting smoke can also harm public health, degrade air quality, reduce visibility, and disrupt transport activities and other community activities.
In early August, smoke haze even blanketed Palangka Raya and air quality was recorded in the hazardous category. According to him, the condition of Palangka Raya, which is largely a peatland ecosystem, also requires greater vigilance. When peatland burns, it produces thick smoke and the fire can be difficult to control, so prevention must be carried out as soon as potential fire risks emerge.
Therefore, Samsul called on the public, business operators, traditional leaders, kedamangan, neighbourhood and community units, sub-districts, districts, and all stakeholders to work together to protect the environment and immediately report any hotspots or activities that could potentially trigger fires.
“The government cannot work alone. We need public awareness and involvement to prevent fires early. Do not let negligence or burning activities cause even greater impacts on the wider community,” he said.
Meanwhile, based on data compiled from the official BMKG website, air quality in Palangka Raya reached the hazardous category at 05.00 WIB with a PM figure of 258.9 and at 06.00 WIB with a PM figure reaching 290.2.
Furthermore, from 07.00 to 14.00 WIB, air conditions in Palangka Raya varied from unhealthy to healthy status, with the lowest PM figure of 68.7 at 11.00 WIB and the highest of 236.3 at 07.00 WIB.
The Palangka Raya Regional Disaster Management Agency handled 298 forest and land fire incidents during the period from 1 June to 19 August 2026.
Muhammad Heri Pauzi, Head of Prevention and Preparedness at the Palangka Raya BPBD, said that these hundreds of incidents resulted in approximately 261.41 hectares of land being burned across several districts.
“During the period from 1 June to 19 August 2026, we recorded 298 forest and land fire incidents with a total burned area reaching 261.41 hectares. The highest number of incidents occurred in Jekan Raya District, followed by areas in Sabangau District,” he said.
Based on Palangka Raya BPBD data, the most forest and land fire incidents occurred in Jekan Raya District with 188 incidents, followed by Sebangau with 68, Pahandut with 25, Bukit Batu with eight, while Rakumpit District recorded no incidents.