Haze Blankets Bima and Dompu, Possibly Caused by Land Burning

The air over Bima and Dompu in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has been hazy in recent days. Haze is one condition that can occur during the dry season.

“Current haze conditions are due to low rainfall and a temperature inversion, which is causing airborne particles (smoke) to remain in the atmosphere for a long time,” said Tri Wahyu, a forecaster at the Bima office of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), when contacted by detikBali on Tuesday (20 October 2026).

BMKG suspects the haze observed over Bima and Dompu may be linked to local residents burning land. However, monitoring of Himawari-9 satellite imagery has not detected any significant smoke haze in the two areas.

Wahyu said the precise point or location where the land was burned could not yet be established. Direct observation and monitoring at the site would be needed.

He said field checks would be required to confirm whether forest-burning activities were taking place in Bima and Dompu, as the Bima BMKG office’s monitoring is limited to satellite imagery.

“Based on aerosol analysis, air quality in Bima and Dompu is still in the moderate category,” Wahyu said.

To prevent fires from spreading and air quality from worsening, BMKG Bima urged all parties to remain alert. It firmly called on residents not to burn land, scrub or rubbish in open areas.

“All activities that could cause sparks should be avoided, as strong winds can quickly spread fires through vegetation that is now highly vulnerable to burning,” Wahyu said.