Kalimantan forest fires cause regional haze and school closures

forest fires Kalimantan haze Sarawak disaster management

Severe forest and land fires (Karhutla) are spreading across Kalimantan, causing significant environmental and social disruption. Satellite imagery and agency data show a massive increase in hotspots, with BNPB reporting 767 hotspots in Central Kalimantan and 560 in West Kalimantan. BMKG recorded over 1,100 hotspots across the island as of August 20, 2026.

The fires have caused thick haze, drastically reducing visibility in some areas to as little as 10 meters. This has impacted transportation and public health. In response to the transboundary haze, the Malaysian government has closed nearly 600 schools in Sarawak due to unhealthy air quality levels.

Indonesian authorities are coordinating multiple responses. The Ministry of Transportation has issued 35 special permits for foreign aircraft to assist in firefighting operations. The Ministry of Public Works is deploying water resources and personnel to South Kalimantan, while local police and community groups are working to extinguish fires in areas like Barito Timur. Legislators have called for the fires to be declared a national disaster to address the escalating economic and health impacts.

Entities

BNPB · Daniel Johan · Kalimantan · Ministry of Public Works · Ministry of Transportation · Padang City Government · River Basin Organization (BWS) Kalimantan I · River Basin Organization (BWS) Sumatera V · Sarawak · West Sumatra Provincial Government

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] BMKG data on August 20, 2026, recorded 1,106 hotspots across Kalimantan. www.rri.co.id
[● 2 SOURCES] BNPB recorded 767 hotspots in Central Kalimantan and 560 in West Kalimantan as of August 20. halosemarang.id · www.ule.co.id
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Public Works is deploying personnel and equipment to support firefighting in South Kalimantan. mediaindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Malaysian government closed nearly 600 schools in Sarawak due to unhealthy air quality. www.ule.co.id
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Transportation has processed 35 special permits for foreign aircraft to assist in firefighting. www.liputan6.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Legislator Daniel Johan requested the government declare the Kalimantan forest fires a national disaster. halosemarang.id