Wildfires in Kalimantan Trigger Regional Haze and National Park Closures

Wildfires in Indonesia's Kalimantan region have caused a surge in hotspots and hazardous air quality that has affected neighboring Malaysia and Brunei. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported a significant increase in hotspots in West Kalimantan as of August 31, 2026, with 7,377 hotspots recorded. While BNPB noted declines in Central and South Kalimantan, visibility in those provinces remained below two kilometers. In Malaysia, the Bornean state of Sarawak experienced hazardous air quality, with the air pollutant index hitting 476 in Serian, leading to school closures and the activation of the National Haze Action Plan. Brunei also reported hazy conditions attributed to southwesterly winds carrying smoke from Kalimantan. In West Kalimantan, smoke disrupted flight operations at Supadio International Airport, where ten flights faced schedule adjustments due to visibility dropping below 1,000 meters. To manage the crisis, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced the temporary closure of hiking routes in nine national parks, including Mount Semeru and Mount Leuser, to protect hikers and prioritize firefighting resources. There is a discrepancy in reporting regarding the trend of the fires. Center-left sources cite BNPB data showing a sharp rise in West Kalimantan hotspots, while another report mentions the Indonesian government claiming a decline in hotspots in Central and West Kalimantan. Center-right reporting focused specifically on the hazardous impact on Malaysia's public health and infrastructure.