Pekanbaru Air Quality Improves, Schools Resume In-Person Learning
Air quality in Pekanbaru, Riau Province, showed significant improvement on Monday morning (31/8/2026). After being affected by haze from forest and land fires (karhutla) in recent days, the air in the provincial capital was recorded in the good category this morning.
Based on IQAir monitoring at the Tenayan Raya Station at 06.00 WIB, the air quality index or US AQI was recorded at 39, or Good. The monitoring station is listed as sourced from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
This morning’s condition shows a significant change compared to previous days. On 24 August, Pekanbaru’s air quality index based on IQAir had reached AQI 214, or very unhealthy.
Improvement had already begun to be visible on Sunday (30/8/2026). Rain that fell in several areas of Riau helped reduce pollutant concentrations and thin out the haze in Pekanbaru.
Riau Police Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Akmadi, said the improvement in air quality is a positive development for the community.
Nevertheless, the condition has not led the Riau Police, together with the TNI and all stakeholders, to reduce the intensity of karhutla handling.
“Alhamdulillah, this morning the people of Pekanbaru can once again feel much better air quality. Personnel in the field continue to work on extinguishing, cooling and patrolling to ensure that fire or embers do not reappear,” said Akmadi.
According to him, the main concern at present is not only the air condition in Pekanbaru, but also the sources of fires in several districts that still require handling.
This is important given that hotspots are still detected in Riau. BMKG data on Saturday (29/8/2026) at 23.00 WIB still recorded 264 hotspots spread across 11 districts/cities.
“So we do not want to be lulled by the improved air condition this morning. The focus remains the same: complete extinguishing in the field, carry out cooling until it is truly safe, prevent the emergence of new hotspots and protect the community from the impacts of karhutla,” said Akmadi.
The Riau Police also reminded that air quality is dynamic and can change according to fire conditions, wind direction and weather. Therefore, air quality and hotspot monitoring continues to be carried out periodically as part of mitigation measures.
On the other hand, rain that has fallen in recent days has also had a positive impact on conditions in Pekanbaru.
The Pekanbaru City Government even decided that teaching and learning activities would resume in person starting Monday after weather conditions and air quality showed improvement.
On Sunday morning, the city government also reported that no fire spots were found in the Pekanbaru City area.
Karhutla handling efforts have also been strengthened through Weather Modification Operations (OMC). The government has prepared the implementation of OMC for the period 29 August to 1 September to assist in tackling karhutla in Riau.
Akmadi stressed that the improved air condition must be used as momentum to strengthen prevention efforts so that haze does not return.
“What we want to protect is not only how fires can be extinguished today, but how the community can continue to breathe healthy air in the days ahead. Therefore, efforts in the field continue and vigilance must not decrease,” he concluded.