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[INTERNATIONAL] · Indonesia, Malaysia · 28 sources

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Part of situation: Indonesia 2026 drought, fire & water aid response (162 clusters)

Kalimantan forest fires threaten oil facilities and trigger regional haze

forest fires Kalimantan haze weather modification environmental disaster

Indonesia is facing a severe escalation of forest and land fires (karhutla), particularly across Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua. The fires have reached critical infrastructure, with production facilities for companies like Petrochina and bp in Jambi and Papua being threatened by nearby blazes.

In response, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is intensifying efforts through weather modification operations (OMC) to induce rain, deploying 30 helicopters, and increasing ground personnel. The Ministry of Transportation has also processed 35 special permits for foreign aircraft to assist in firefighting operations.

The environmental impact is significant, with haze causing health concerns and disrupting education. In Kalimantan, 3,524 educational units involving over 571,000 students have transitioned to distance learning due to poor air quality. The crisis has also become an international issue, as smoke drifts into Malaysia, prompting the closure of nearly 600 schools in Sarawak due to unhealthy air quality levels.

Authorities have issued strict prohibitions against land clearing via burning, with the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasizing that these bans apply to all regional leaders without exception. Law enforcement is also being mobilized to prosecute those responsible for intentional burning.

Entities

Abdul Mu’ti · BNPB · Daniel Johan · Indonesia · Kalimantan · Malaysia · Ministry of Public Works · Ministry of Transportation · Padang City Government · River Basin Organization (BWS) Kalimantan I · River Basin Organization (BWS) Sumatera V · Sarawak

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.
  • [● 4 SOURCES] BNPB recorded 767 hotspots in Central Kalimantan and 560 in West Kalimantan as of August 20. 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
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Transportation has processed 35 special permits for foreign aircraft to assist in firefighting. www.liputan6.com · dutatv.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Legislator Daniel Johan requested the government declare the Kalimantan forest fires a national disaster. news.harianjogja.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] BNPB is deploying 30 helicopters to strengthen firefighting efforts in Kalimantan. www.inews.id · news.okezone.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] 3,524 educational units involving 571,338 students have switched to distance learning (PJJ) due to haze. halosemarang.id

Sources

Pemerintah Tegaskan Tak Perlu Satgas Khusus Karhutla, Koordinasi Lintas Sektor Dinilai Sudah Optimal [radargarut.id]
Tiga Hari Berjibaku, Tim Gabungan Berhasil Padamkan Karhutla 2 Hektare di Reteh [www.riaukepri.com]
Karhutla Riau Menurun, Penanganan di Kerumutan Diperkuat Lewat Udara [www.rri.co.id]
Personel Dinas Damkarmat Berhasil Padamkan Kebakaran Di Sekitar Gunung Jayanti [www.mediapatriot.co.id]
Makin Gawat, Karhutla Mulai Dekati Fasilitas Produksi Migas [www.dunia-energi.com]
Peningkatan Titik Hotspot Karhutla di Sumatera Selatan Mencapai 449 pada Agustus 2026 [mediakampung.com]
Riau1 - Asap Karhutla Mulai Ganggu Kesehatan Masyarakat Riau [www.riau1.com]
BREAKING NEWS: Kebakaran Hutan Hebat Landa Jalur Tanjung Lesung - Sumur Pandeglang Malam Ini, Warga Panik! [nusantara.media]
Mendagri: Buka Lahan dengan Cara Membakar Dilarang Tanpa Kecuali [news.harianjogja.com]
BNPB Perkuat OMC dan Armada Pemadaman Kendalikan Karhutla di Kalimantan [majalahindonesia.id]
Seminggu Kebakaran di Desa Wailulu dan UPT SP2 Maluku Tengah, Belum Tahu dari Mana Api Berasal - Tribunambon. com [ambon.tribunnews.com]
BPBD Lamandau Amankan 1 Hektar Lahan, Karhutla di Desa Kujan Belum Padam Total [prokalteng.jawapos.com]
35 Pesawat Asing Bantu Tangani Karhutla [dutatv.com]
Laporan Warga Ditindaklanjuti Cepat, Kapolsubsektor Paku Bersama Warga Padamkan Karhutla di Runggu Raya [globalcybernews.com]
Darurat Asap Karhutla, 3. 524 Sekolah Terpaksa Laksanakan Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh [halosemarang.id]
Kebakaran Hutan Kalimantan: Sorotan Media Asing Dan Dampak Asap Ke Malaysia Mengguncang Publik - Ule. co. id [www.ule.co.id]
Karhutla Kembali Kepung Kalimantan, Mengapa Terus Berulang? [cenderawasihpos.jawapos.com]
Luas Kebakaran Hutan Kalimantan Tembus 57 Ribu Ha hingga Juni 2026 [goodstats.id]
Kebakaran Hutan Kalimantan Meluas, BNPB Kerahkan Puluhan Helikopter dan Modifikasi Cuaca : Okezone News [news.okezone.com]
BNPB Siagakan 30 Helikopter untuk Perkuat Penanganan Karhutla di Kalimantan - Bagian 1 [www.inews.id]
Masih Panas, Pemprov Riau Tingkatkan Level Waspada Karhutla sampai November 2026 [www.medcom.id]
Karhutla Capai 94 Kasus, Pemkab Natuna Siaga Hadapi Puncak Kemarau [ulasan.co]
Karhutla Sumsel Tembus 1. 926 Hektare [rmol.id]
Polri Tetapkan 72 Tersangka Karhutla, Ungkap Ini Modusnya [www.cnbcindonesia.com]
Kalimantan Dilanda Karhutla, BNPB: Layanan Penerbangan Tetap Berjalan Aman [nasional.sindonews.com]
Asosiasi Pilot Drone Indonesia siap bantu penanganan karhutla [www.antaranews.com]
Kementerian PU Dukung Penanganan Karhutla di Gambut Kalimantan Selatan [mediaindonesia.com]
Tangani Kebakaran Hutan, Kemenhub Terbitkan 35 Izin Pesawat Asing [www.liputan6.com]