Forest Fire Smoke Triggers Surge in Respiratory Infections in Riau

Forest and land fires in the Riau region continue to expand. Consequently, cases of Acute Respiratory Infection (ISPA) in Riau have surged, surpassing 11,000 cases.

According to data released by the Riau Health Office, there were 11,370 ISPA cases recorded between 1 and 14 September. These cases are spread across 12 regencies and cities in Riau.

“Between 1 and 14 September, there were approximately 11,000 ISPA cases due to forest and land fires in Riau,” stated the Head of the Riau Health Office, Zulkifli, when confirmed on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

Zulkifli noted that the cases are distributed across 12 regencies and cities, with the peak increase occurring on 10 September, involving more than 1,200 new cases.

Despite the surge, there have been no reports of ISPA cases requiring hospitalisation. All cases are currently being managed at the community health centre (Puskeslag) level through consultation and initial treatment.

“These are being handled at the Puskesmas level; none have been referred for further medical treatment. We are also reporting this data to the Ministry of Health,” said Zulkifli.

ISPA cases have been rising since 19 August, when only four areas affected by fires—Siak, Kampar, Pelalawan, and Pekanbaru—had reported incidents.

“Initially, on 19 August, there were only four regencies including Kampar, Siak, Pelalawan, and Pekanbaru, but this has since increased to 12 regencies and cities in Riau,” he added.

Mayor Implements Distance Learning Until Saturday

From today (16/9) until Saturday (19/<0xC2>9), the Mayor of Pekanbaru, Agung Nugroho, has mandated Distance Learning (PJJ) for students in early childhood education (PAUD/TK), primary (SD), and junior high school (SMP). The decision was made after air quality in Pekanbaru deteriorated to levels deemed unsafe for children’s health.

“From tomorrow until Saturday, all educational units for PAUD, TK, SD, and SMP will implement distance learning. We took this decision because the air condition is very unhealthy, especially for children,” said Agung on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

According to monitoring data, the BMKG air quality reading at 14:00 WIB (15/9) reached 220, while the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) was recorded at 243. This condition falls into the ‘very unhealthy’ category and poses significant health risks.

Agung emphasised that this policy is not a holiday from learning. Children will continue their studies from home with parental supervision and materials prepared by the schools.

“To the teachers, please prepare the lessons well and do not provide tasks that burden the children or parents. To the parents, we ask that you accompany your children during distance learning,” he said.

BMKG Reveals Potential Smoke Drift from the South

Meanwhile, the Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) revealed that the smoke enveloping Riau does not originate entirely from local forest and land fires, but also includes smoke drifting from other regions.

The Head of BMKG Pekanbaru, Warjono, stated that satellite imagery shows smoke movement from areas south of Riau.

“Based on wind patterns and the smoke distribution imagery we are monitoring, there is potential for smoke drift from the southern region of Riau. Because smoke moves with the wind, the conditions observed in Riau are not only influenced by sources within Riau,” said Warjono on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

BMKG data on Tuesday afternoon recorded 4,127 hotspots in Sumatra. The largest concentration was in South Sumatra with 2,878 points, followed by Lampung with 468, Bangka Belitung with 318, and Jambi with 285. Riau recorded 96 hotspots.

In the update from 00:00 to 14:00 WIB, BMKG Riau recorded 29 hotspots within Riau, all at a medium level of confidence. 19 points were in Indragiri Hulu, four in Kuantan Singüssi, three in Pelalawan, and one each in Dumai, Rokan Hilir, and Indragiri Hilir.

BMKG smoke distribution imagery as of 13:00 WIB also showed smoke detected in several parts of Sumatra. The distribution is generally moving northwest, following winds blowing from the southeast to the northwest and north.

Monitoring of regional air mass movement also shows a trajectory from the Kalimantan region towards the Riau Islands, Singapore, and Malaysia. This indicates that the haze issue is a transboundary problem, heavily influenced by atmospheric dynamics.

“Smoke can be carried by the wind and move across regions. Therefore, to understand the full situation, we must simultaneously observe hotspots, smoke distribution imagery, as well as wind direction and speed,” said Warjono.

Currently, a joint team comprising BPBD, Polri, TNI, Manggala Agni, local governments, Fire Care Communities, and related agencies continues to conduct firefighting and cooling operations. Ground operations are being reinforced with water bombing and Weather Modification Operations as required by atmospheric conditions.