Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Orders Urgent Action as Haze Blankets Region
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto ordered disaster management officials to step up firefighting operations in Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra on Oct. 12, 2026, after severe forest and land fires sent thick haze across national borders into Singapore and Malaysia, asianews.network reported. While neighboring governments offered aircraft, helicopters, and personnel to assist, Coordinating Political and Security Minister Dudung Abdurachman stated after a Presidential Palace meeting that foreign help was not discussed and that Indonesia remains capable of handling the crisis.
Tanjung Puting National Park Faces Severe Threat From Raging Blazes
Wildfires have scorched national parks across Kalimantan and Sumatra, threatening endangered orangutan populations in Central Kalimantan, The Jakarta Post reported. A 60-member volunteer network addressing an open letter to President Prabowo stated they had to withdraw from Tanjung Puting National Park last Saturday because limited resources could no longer match the raging fires. Approximately 54,000 hectares of the 412,000-hectare park have burned, reaching core conservation zones vital for Bornean orangutans. President Prabowo subsequently instructed that firefighting efforts prioritize Tanjung Puting due to its status as a premier global orangutan conservation and rehabilitation center, ANTARA News reported.
South Bangka Peatland Fires Destroy Homes and Livelihoods
Peatland fires in Dusun Serdang, Desa Jelutung II, Simpang Rimba, South Bangka, burned 305 residential units and 50 swallow buildings, Kompas.id reported. Hundreds of joint officers conducted cooling operations through Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, to saturate deep peat cavities and prevent fires from reigniting. The disaster affected approximately 400 families, or 1,600 individuals, whose homes and belongings were destroyed with losses estimated at Rp 2 billion. Affected residents evacuated to nearby relatives while authorities provided evacuation facilities, public kitchens, and medical supplies.
Deployment of Over 60,000 Personnel and Testing of New Suppressants
Thick smoke restricted aerial operations, forcing most firefighting to remain ground-based. Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian noted that peatland fires burn beneath the surface, requiring vast volumes of water. To combat stubborn blazes, officials in South Sumatra tested a Brazilian powder suppressant called Realiza Anti Chamas on Oct. 9, 2026, which suppliers claim is ten times more effective than water alone.
Public Health Impacts and Emergency Response Measures
The widespread haze generated 174,694 cases of acute respiratory infections across seven affected provinces between Aug. 18 and Sept. 21, 2026, according to the Indonesian Health Ministry. Visibility dropped to between 500 and 800 meters in South Sumatra, disrupting flights into Palembang.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Southeast Asian Haze Crisis
How many hectares of Tanjung Puting National Park have been burned by the fires?
Approximately 54,000 hectares of the 412,000-hectare park have burned as fires reached vital core conservation zones, according to local conservation data cited by The Jakarta Post.
What specific property damage occurred in South Bangka during the peatland fires?
The fires destroyed 305 residential units and 50 swallow buildings in Dusun Serdang, Desa Jelutung II, Simpang Rimba, leaving an estimated Rp 2 billion in property losses, Kompas.id reported.
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