IKN Area Enveloped in Forest Fire Smoke, Air Quality Index Declared Unhealthy
Smoke from the impact of forest and land fires (Karhutla) over the last two days, Wednesday (16/9) and Thursday (17/9), has become visually apparent and has enveloped the Government Core Area (KIPP) of Nusantara Capital (IKN) and surrounding areas in the Sepaku District and parts of the Penajam District, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan.
Based on assessments released by the Satu OIKN application, the air quality in the KIPP IKN area and its surroundings has an average Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) reaching 160, which is classified as unhealthy.
Meanwhile, the IKN Authority, through the Kota Cerdas Nusantara WhatsApp group, has issued an advisory regarding the air quality. It was stated that the air quality in the KIPP is currently in the unhealthy category based on monitoring of the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU).
To reduce the risk of exposure, all employees and the public are advised to wear masks when engaging in outdoor activities and to reduce heavy and prolonged physical activity outdoors. Furthermore, outdoor activities should be limited, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory issues. The public is also urged to continue monitoring air quality conditions and maintain their health during activities.
Yudi, a worker near the Co-ordinating Ministry 1 building area, admitted that the smoke appeared slightly thicker today compared to yesterday; additionally, the smell of smoke was noticeable, causing throat and eye irritation. Consequently, he must wear a mask when outside the building.
“The smoke is quite thick today, although it has not yet significantly affected visibility. The smoke also causes an odour and makes my eyes sting. I wear a mask when I am outside the building,” he said.
Similarly, an IKN visitor named Anisa admitted that her throat felt sore, although her eyes were not yet affected. “Now, if you want to go to IKN, you must be prepared with a mask and glasses due to the smoke,” she remarked.
An IKN Authority firefighter, Ardi, explained that this smoke is drifting from outside the IKN area in the Sepaku District, as several fire points around IKN Sepaku have already been extinguished. “This smoke is being carried from other areas, where the wind direction is leading towards the KIPP IKN area,” he concluded.
Three public spaces have been closed, namely the Putri Kaca Mayang Green Open Space (RTH) on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, and the RTH Tunjuk Ajar Integritas.
Data from the Air Pollution Standard Index monitoring station shows that the air quality in Samarinda City stands at 129, which also falls into the unhealthy category.
Limited visibility due to increasingly thick haze has besieged Jambi City and several regencies in Jambi over the last few days, potentially threatening the smooth operation of shipping. Under these conditions, wind direction is also carrying smoke towards the Riau region, including Pekanbaru.
Forest fire haze has caused 10 flights to be delayed and 4 to be cancelled at Supadio Airport, West Kalimantan, with visibility dropping to 600 metres.