Thick Haze and Thousands of Hotspots from Forest Fires Encircle Kalimantan

Forest and land fires (karhutla) continue to threaten the Kalimantan region. In recent days, the impact of the fires, particularly thick haze, has been felt in several locations.

In Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, air quality reached the hazardous or very unhealthy category on Wednesday morning (19/8) due to the fires. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported an increase in PM2.5 concentration to 389.4 micrograms per cubic metre, far exceeding the threshold of 250.5 micrograms per cubic metre for that category. PM2.5 refers to airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller; higher levels pose greater health risks.

Windy, a resident of Liang Anggang, Banjarbaru, said the fires had been ongoing for several weeks, but the smoke worsened this week. “It makes breathing difficult because the smoke also enters residents’ homes, especially those near the land fires, and affects passing motorists,” Windy said. Windy also noted that the thick smoke reduced visibility to approximately 3 metres. As of Wednesday at 5.45 pm local time, land was still burning at several points along the roadside.

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Hanif Faisol Nurofiq called for more massive deployment of resources from South Kalimantan Province to control the fires, according to Antara. This was conveyed during a strategic coordination meeting on fire handling with the Forestry Service, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and other fire task force elements in Pangayuan, Banjarbaru, on Tuesday (18/9).

According to the South Kalimantan Provincial Media Center, the provincial Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) has deployed 53 personnel to the fire command post since 10 August and operated several pumps to protect protected forest areas by preventing drought that could increase fire risk.

The haze in Banjarbaru worsened by Thursday (20/8), prompting the Banjarbaru City Education Office to issue an official circular adjusting school start times. Beginning Thursday, students in Banjarbaru start school at 9.00 am local time. Schools in areas with severe haze were asked to adjust situationally. “Educational units may begin learning activities at 9.00 am local time for affected schools,” said Head of Banjarbaru Education Office Abdul Basid.

In Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, haze also blanketed the city starting Tuesday morning (18/8). The smoke was visible on several roads, especially in the Jalan Tingang area up to Jekan Raya District. Besides limiting visibility, the haze raised concerns about health risks, particularly for residents who still need to work outdoors.

According to Antara Kalteng, the Head of Prevention and Preparedness at the Palangka Raya BPBD reported that 261.41 hectares of land had burned across several sub-districts. “During the period from 1 June to 19 August 2026, we recorded 298 fire incidents with a total burned area of 261.41 hectares. The highest number of incidents occurred in Jekan Raya District, followed by areas in Sabangau District,” he explained.

The West Kotawaringin Regency Government in Central Kalimantan declared a state of emergency for forest and land fires from 21 August to 4 September 2024. The emergency status was set following an increase in fire hotspots based on BPBD data on Tuesday (18/8) at 9.00 am local time.

“Fire incidents and hotspots in our area have increased again. Currently, the burned area due to fires has reached 859.49 hectares, with 189 incidents and 461 hotspots,” said West Kotawaringin Regent Nurhidayah on Wednesday (19/8). The largest affected areas were recorded in Kumai and Arut Selatan (Arsel) Districts. In Kumai District, there were 584.41 hectares burned, 63 incidents, and 124 hotspots. In Arsel District, the burned area reached 180.475 hectares with 98 incidents and 226 hotspots.

“We are moving to the locations and dividing schedules with other teams. Our current focus is on fire points that are approaching residential areas,” Nurhidayah added.

Pontianak, West Kalimantan, became the area with the worst air quality in Indonesia on Thursday morning (20/8). Based on data from the IQAir air quality monitoring site at 6.56 am local time, Pontianak reached the unhealthy category with a score of 191. The PM2.5 concentration in Pontianak reached 112 µg/m³, which is 22.4 times the air quality standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is inseparable from the effects of forest and land fires causing haze in the Pontianak area. A fire emergency status has been declared by Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono. “We are doing this to strengthen joint handling coordination, both in fire prevention and in addressing public health impacts,” Edi said on Monday (10/8).

In West Kalimantan Province, there were 4,041 fire hotspots, including 3,560 at medium level and 352 at high level. In Pontianak itself, there were also several fire points, for example in the Jalan Sepakat II Ujung area and several small points in North Pontianak. The haze affecting Pontianak was also reported to be influenced by fires in surrounding regencies such as Ketapang, Kubu Raya, Kayong Utara, and Landak.