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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [HEALTH]

6 clusters · 87 sources · 34 days · First seen · Last updated

Global urban air quality and Kalimantan forest fires

Overview

The regional haze crisis has intensified as widespread forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, fueled by severe drought and El Niño, continue to impact air quality across Southeast Asia.

In Malaysia, an emergency was declared in Serian, Sarawak, after the Air Pollutant Index reached a hazardous 521, prompting authorities to monitor school operating arrangements. Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index has entered the unhealthy category for the first time since late 2023. In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered class suspensions in Metro Manila and several northern provinces due to deteriorating air quality.

The health impact in Indonesia is significant, with the Ministry of Health reporting over 50,000 respiratory infection cases linked to the fires between July and August 2026, noting that children under five are particularly vulnerable. The environmental toll has also extended to wildlife, including the death of an orangutan named Sempurna due to respiratory distress.

Mitigation efforts include weather modification through cloud seeding—with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) deploying 8,000 kg of salt—as well as water bombing and the deployment of Japanese Chinook helicopters. However, officials noted that a lack of suitable clouds has hindered some operations. NASA satellite data indicates that peatland fires on Borneo are particularly dangerous, producing significantly higher levels of fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide compared to standard forest fires.

Law enforcement actions have expanded, with the government investigating 21 business entities for potential involvement in the fires. In the IKN (New Capital) region, authorities are implementing strict enforcement against negligence. Additionally, ASEAN has activated Regional Alert Level 3 to coordinate a transboundary response, requiring daily reporting from member states. In East Java, the fires have also resulted in the closure of hiking routes at Mount Semeru and Kawah Ijen.

Entities

Jakarta · BMKG · Kalimantan · Pramono Anung · Dudy Purwagandhi

Claims

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

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "Kalimantan Tengah recorded the highest number of hotspots with 767." www.suarainvestor.com · uzone.id

    vs

    "Central Kalimantan recorded the highest number of hotspots with 976." www.nu.or.id

    BNPB reports different hotspot counts for Central Kalimantan (767 vs 976).

  • "There are currently 182 active fires across six Indonesian provinces, with 145 located in Kalimantan." wydarzenia.interia.pl

    vs

    "The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded 182 hotspots, with 72 in Central Kalimantan." www.tvsarawak.my · dayakdaily.com

    BNPB reports different total hotspot counts (145 in Kalimantan vs 182 total).

  • "Kalimantan Tengah recorded the highest number of hotspots with 767." www.suarainvestor.com · uzone.id

    vs

    "The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded 182 hotspots, with 72 in Central Kalimantan." www.tvsarawak.my · dayakdaily.com

    BNPB reports different hotspot counts for Central Kalimantan (767 vs 72).

  • "Kalimantan Tengah recorded the highest number of hotspots with 767." www.suarainvestor.com · uzone.id

    vs

    "Hotspots were distributed with 767 in Central Kalimantan, 560 in West Kalimantan, and 160 in South Kalimantan." uzone.id · www.suarainvestor.com · era.id · www.liputan6.com

    The Ministry of Forestry reports 767 hotspots in Central Kalimantan, while BNPB reports 72 or 976 in the same region.

  • "The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded 182 hotspots, with 72 in Central Kalimantan." www.tvsarawak.my · dayakdaily.com

    vs

    "Central Kalimantan recorded the highest number of hotspots with 976." www.nu.or.id

    BNPB reports different hotspot counts for Central Kalimantan (72 vs 976).

  • "Hotspots were distributed with 767 in Central Kalimantan, 560 in West Kalimantan, and 160 in South Kalimantan." uzone.id · www.suarainvestor.com · era.id · www.liputan6.com

    vs

    "The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded 182 hotspots, with 72 in Central Kalimantan." www.tvsarawak.my · dayakdaily.com

    BNPB reports 72 hotspots in Central Kalimantan, while the Ministry of Forestry reports 767.

  • "Hotspots were distributed with 767 in Central Kalimantan, 560 in West Kalimantan, and 160 in South Kalimantan." uzone.id · www.suarainvestor.com · era.id · www.liputan6.com

    vs

    "Central Kalimantan recorded the highest number of hotspots with 976." www.nu.or.id

    BNPB reports 976 hotspots in Central Kalimantan, while the Ministry of Forestry reports 767.

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 64 sources
    Southeast Asia haze crisis intensifies as Indonesian peatland fires spread

    Severe peatland fires in Indonesia have caused a regional haze crisis, prompting an emergency in Malaysia and class suspensions in the Philippines. ASEAN remains at Alert Level 3.

  2. 7 days ago

    [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Respiratory infections rise in Kalimantan amid forest fires

    Respiratory infection cases are rising in Kalimantan due to forest fires, with over 72,000 cases reported in Central Kalimantan. High-risk groups include children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

  3. 13 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Kalimantan forest fires cause haze and flight disruptions

    Forest and land fires in Kalimantan have caused haze disruptions, affecting 10 flights at Syamsudin Noor International Airport and creating 473 hotspots across South Kalimantan.

  4. 18 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 39 sources
    Kalimantan wildfires trigger haze crisis and school closures

    Intense wildfires and thick haze in Kalimantan have triggered 1,842 hotspots, forcing 3,524 schools into distance learning and disrupting regional flights and air quality across Indonesia and Malaysia.

  5. 29 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Kampala tops list of world's most polluted cities

    Kampala, Uganda, recorded the world's worst air quality with an AQI of 185, followed by Kinshasa and Jakarta. Dhaka ranked 15th with moderate air quality.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Jakarta's Air Quality Ranked Fourth Worst Worldwide on Friday Morning

    Jakarta's AQI hit 147, ranking it fourth worst globally; authorities plan bus route expansions, free rides, 10,000 electric buses by 2030, and new waste‑treatment plants to cut emissions.

Sources

acvila30.ro · anninhthudo.vn · antaranews.com · baolaocai.vn · beautynury.com · bengkulu.tribunnews.com · berita.rtm.gov.my · beritajatim.com · bhaskarhindi.com · bisnis.liputan6.com · bukkzserc.hu · cenderawasihpos.jawapos.com · circleid.com · clovermedia.jp · cnbcindonesia.com · dailysintang.com · dayakdaily.com · disway.id · dukagjini.com · dunia-energi.com · durangoherald.com · dutatv.com · ekbis.harianjogja.com · ekbis.sindonews.com · en.antaranews.com · en.tempo.co · era.id · euronews.net · freemalaysiatoday.com · gavroche-thailande.com · gerindra.id · halosemarang.id · harianjogja.com · independent.co.uk · inews.id · information.tv5monde.com · inponews.com · ipreunion.com · jatim.jpnn.com · jawapos.com · jogja.jpnn.com · jpnn.com · jurnas.com · kabartarakan.com · kaltaraone.com · katadata.co.id · kosmo.com.my · lifestyle.sindonews.com

This summary has been updated 22 times: see revision history