Forest fires push Palangka Raya air quality into hazardous zone
“Based on Palangka Raya Disaster Agency data, air quality ranges from moderate to hazardous at certain times,” city official Samsul Rizal said.
He said forest and land fires affect more than just the environment, with smoke threatening public health, worsening air quality, reducing visibility, and disrupting transportation and other activities.
In early August, haze blanketed Palangka Raya, with air quality reaching hazardous levels, he said.
Much of Palangka Raya is covered by peatland, making the area particularly vulnerable because burning peat produces dense smoke and fires can be difficult to control, he said.
Samsul urged residents, businesses, customary leaders, community officials, and other stakeholders to protect the environment and immediately report fires or activities that could cause them.
“The government cannot work alone. We need public awareness and participation to detect and prevent fires at an early stage. Negligence or deliberate burning could have wider consequences,” he said.
Data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) showed that Palangka Raya’s air quality reached the hazardous category at 5 a.m. local time, with a PM reading of 258.9, followed by 290.2 at 6 a.m.
From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., air quality ranged from unhealthy to healthy, with PM readings ranging from 236.3 at 7 a.m. to 68.7 at 11 a.m.
Palangka Raya’s disaster agency recorded 298 forest and land fires from June 1 to Aug. 19, 2026.
The fires burned about 261.41 hectares across several subdistricts, Palangka Raya Disaster Agency Prevention and Preparedness Head Muhammad Heri Pauzi said.
“From June 1 to Aug. 19, we recorded 298 forest and land fires covering 261.41 hectares, with most occurring in Jekan Raya, followed by Sabangau,” he said.
Jekan Raya recorded the most fires, with 188 incidents, followed by Sabangau with 68, Pahandut with 25, and Bukit Batu with eight. Rakumpit reported no fires.
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Translator: Rendhik A, Rahmad Nasution