KUCHING: Hazardous air quality persists in several parts of Kalimantan as Indonesia intensifies operations against forest and land fires, with 43,951 personnel deployed across six priority provinces.
The government said operations were under way in Central Kalimantan, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau and Jambi, involving ground crews, patrols and aerial support.
As of 12.20 pm Western Indonesia Time yesterday, fires affecting about 77,080.79 hectare of land indicated as burned had been extinguished, while 1,742.16 hectare remained under firefighting operations, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
The Ministry of Forestry’s SiPongi system detected 395 hotspots nationwide as of 9.04 pm on Tuesday, down slightly from 397 a day earlier.
Air quality remained hazardous in several areas. East Kotawaringin recorded an Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) reading of 1,119 for PM10, followed by Kubu Raya at 479, Gunung Mas at 407, Katingan at 381, South Barito at 334 and Pontianak at 310.
Air quality elsewhere, including parts of Sumatra, ranged from good to very unhealthy, while visibility could change rapidly depending on fire activity, rainfall and wind direction.
A total of 55 aerial assets have been deployed for patrols, weather modification operations and water-bombing, alongside ground operations involving firefighting, containment, cooling and checks on areas at risk of re-ignition.
Authorities have also stepped up enforcement. As of Sept 7, police had received 200 reports related to forest and land fires, named 138 individuals as suspects and initiated legal proceedings involving eight corporations allegedly linked to fire incidents.
Preventive measures have been strengthened under Presidential Instruction No. 11 of 2026, which directs ministries, security forces and local governments to coordinate action against land burning and forest fires and prevent policies or permits from legitimising burning.
Concession and permit holders must strengthen fire prevention, maintain their areas and buffer zones of up to 5km, and provide emergency response teams and heavy equipment.
Limited exceptions based on local wisdom and traditional practices remain subject to strict restrictions.
Indonesia said firefighting, prevention, monitoring and enforcement efforts would continue, with updates made available through official government channels.
