The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that air quality across South Kalimantan and West Kalimantan has reached hazardous levels as a result of ongoing forest and land fires.
BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Acting Head Berton S.P. Panjaitan stated that South Kalimantan recorded 13 hotspots accompanied by moderate to hazardous air quality. Heavy smoke from the blazes has reduced visibility to under 3 kilometers.
Berton noted that the deteriorating air quality has prompted local schools to adopt conditional distance learning. "Community activities continue to run normally, but we urge the public to wear masks, particularly when venturing outdoors," Berton said during a press briefing broadcast via BNPB's YouTube channel in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Firefighting Operations in South Kalimantan
BNPB reported that ground firefighting efforts remain active across 10 regencies and cities in South Kalimantan, including Banjar, Barito Kuala, Tapin, Tanah Bumbu, Tanah Laut, Hulu Sungai Selatan, Hulu Sungai Utara, Balangan, and Banjarbaru. Authorities have identified a total of 61 active fire spots. "Ground personnel have successfully extinguished over 29 hectares," Berton said.
For aerial operations, the Air Task Force deployed two helicopters conducting 65 reconnaissance sorties. Furthermore, five water-bombing aircraft completed 11 sorties, dropping a total of 1,328,000 liters of water. These aerial suppression efforts have brought more than 60 hectares under control.
"Weather modification operations (OMC) cannot be conducted at present due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions, as there are no cloud formations for seeding," Berton explained.
Berton warned that weather conditions could still spark fresh blazes, as most regions remain categorized as easy to extremely easy to ignite. Nevertheless, authorities are utilizing thermal imaging cameras to track down remaining unextinguished hotspots. "We carry out extinguishing by using two to three water-bombing units simultaneously at one fire location, especially in Ring 1 areas such as airports and residential areas," Berton added.
Containment Efforts in West Kalimantan
Meanwhile, in West Kalimantan, BNPB is monitoring 30 fire spots linked to hazardous air quality, which has pulled visibility down to below 1 kilometer. "The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecasts sporadic rainfall of varying intensity across several areas of West Kalimantan," Berton noted.
Berton indicated that these localized rains are expected between September 1 and 7, 2026. "So, when this potential occurs, we will also utilize this to maximize rainfall through OMC," he said.
Ground suppression operations in West Kalimantan span 10 regencies and cities, including Kubu Raya, Bengkayang, Mempawah, Kayong Utara, Sintang, Sekadau, Kapuas Hulu, Landak, Ketapang, Sambas, and Singkawang. Berton stated that ground crews have extinguished roughly 262 hectares.
Regarding air support, three helicopters have been assigned to patrol missions. Berton explained that these patrol helicopters are used to assess real-time firefighting conditions on the ground. "Whether there are new fire spots or unextinguished fire spots. Afterward, it will be communicated to ground forces for extinguishing, and the Air Task Force will perform water bombing," he said.
Water-bombing missions in West Kalimantan involve five helicopters, which have dropped approximately 724,000 liters of water. The Air Task Force has extinguished about 11 hectares, while one cloud-seeding operation was executed using 1,600 kilograms of sodium chloride (NaCl).
"The forest and land fire situation in West Kalimantan still needs serious attention, and air quality in several areas in West Kalimantan is categorized as very unhealthy to hazardous," he said.
He acknowledged that response teams face severe operational hurdles, including low visibility, difficult peatland fires, and scarce water sources.
Legal Sanctions and Corporate Compliance
Berton added that in addition to suppression efforts, the government is enforcing regulations through the Ministry of Environment with support from local environmental agencies. "Measures include monitoring corporate compliance, sealing burned land sites, issuing administrative sanctions, and evaluating or threatening the revocation of business permits for arsonists," he noted.
Escalating Health Risks and ISPA Cases
Ministry of Health Acting Director General of Disease Control Andi Saguni cautioned that forest fire smoke contains fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5. Additionally, the haze contains carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and toxic organic compounds capable of triggering various health ailments. "The primary concern is acute respiratory tract infections (ISPA)," Andi stated.
ISPA causes symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, and fever. Another significant risk factor is asthma.
Andi explained that asthma can become chronic, whether from pre-existing conditions or newly triggered during karhutla events. In pre-existing cases, Andi noted that asthma patients are typically recovered or managing their symptoms well. "However, exposure to fire smoke can cause their condition to relapse," he said.
A third major health concern is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Andi stated that COPD also develops into a chronic condition over time and can be reignited by exposure to forest fire smoke. "Furthermore, the smoke affects body surfaces, increasing the risk of eye and skin irritations," he added.
Andi also advised patients with severe or chronic systemic conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, to strictly avoid smoke exposure.
The Ministry of Health recorded 50,891 ISPA cases between July and August following the surge in forest fire smoke. Andi revealed that on September 1, 2026 alone, 451 new ISPA cases were logged. "We collect this data through our established health surveillance network," Andi said.
Of the 50,891 total ISPA cases recorded across July and August, 12,600 involved children under age 5, while 38,291 affected individuals aged 5 and older.
Read: Indonesia Urged to Declare Forest Fire Emergency
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