KALIMANTAN, Indonesia — October 9, 2026 — Forest and land fires across Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, continue to raise serious environmental and public health concerns as dry conditions fuel wildfires and smoke spreads across communities. West Kalimantan has been among the hardest-hit areas, with residents experiencing poor air quality, reduced visibility, and disruption to everyday activities.
Recent reports describe an unusually severe fire season, intensified by prolonged dry weather and El Niño conditions. Authorities have continued firefighting operations while local volunteers work to identify hotspots and help prevent smaller fires from spreading.
Wildfires Affect Communities Across Kalimantan
Forest and peatland fires are a recurring challenge in Indonesia during the dry season. This year, however, the prolonged lack of rain has made the situation particularly difficult in parts of Borneo.
In West Kalimantan, thick haze has affected Pontianak and surrounding areas. Smoke has reduced visibility and disrupted air travel, while firefighters have faced additional challenges reaching and controlling burning areas.
Peatlands are especially vulnerable because fires can smoulder beneath the surface, making them difficult to detect and extinguish completely. Even after visible flames disappear, underground burning can continue and reignite when dry conditions persist.
Air Pollution and Health Concerns
Smoke from forest fires contains fine particles that can irritate the eyes and throat and worsen respiratory conditions. Children, older adults, outdoor workers, and people with asthma or other breathing difficulties may face increased risks during periods of heavy haze.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local air-quality advisories, limit strenuous outdoor activity when pollution levels are high, and use well-fitting particulate respirators when exposure cannot be avoided. People experiencing serious breathing difficulties should seek medical attention.
The haze has also affected transportation. Reports from September described flight disruptions in Pontianak after visibility fell below one kilometre, demonstrating how fires far from urban centres can affect essential services.
Firefighting Operations Continue
Indonesian authorities have deployed ground crews and aerial resources to control fires across priority provinces. Operations include extinguishing burning land, monitoring satellite-detected hotspots, and using aircraft to drop water where conditions permit.
Community volunteers have also played an important role. In West Kalimantan, groups of women have patrolled villages, reported hotspots, and helped educate residents about safer land-clearing practices.
However, officials face continuing difficulties as dry peat soils and delayed rainfall create conditions in which fires can spread or reignite.
Environmental Impact and Accountability
Beyond immediate health concerns, repeated wildfires threaten forests, wildlife habitats, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on the land. Smoke can travel across national borders, making the crisis a regional concern.
On October 7, 2026, Indonesian environmental and Indigenous groups criticised the government's absence from an initial hearing in a class-action lawsuit concerning the haze crisis in West Kalimantan. The hearing was postponed until October 21.
The situation remains serious. Residents should follow official emergency and air-quality updates as firefighting operations continue. Further rainfall may help reduce fire activity, but the scale of recovery will depend on effective prevention, sustained monitoring, and protection of vulnerable forest and peatland areas.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, and ANTARA News.
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