Sampit: wildfire crisis shrouds Central Kalimantan
Hundreds of students protested in Palangkaraya, demanding the government do more to tackle the wildfire crisis that has shrouded their city and the wider region in toxic haze for months.
A wildfire crisis has been shrouding Central Kalimantan in toxic haze for months, prompting hundreds of students to protest in Palangkaraya, demanding the government do more to tackle the issue. The students, many wearing surgical masks, gathered under an eerily orange sky with severely reduced visibility and waved banners urging authorities to take action.
How is the fire developing?
The wildfire crisis in Central Kalimantan has been ongoing for months, with the haze causing severely reduced visibility and sparking student protests in Palangkaraya. According to reports, joint authorities have rescued an orangutan and her baby from the wildfire in the region.
Protests and demands
The government has identified Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan as priority provinces for fire prevention and response.
What does this mean for residents?
The haze has caused severely reduced visibility, and the students have demanded the government do more to tackle the crisis. The wildfire has also affected the local wildlife, with an orangutan and her baby being rescued by joint authorities.
Timeline
- Website Resmi Polri:
Joint Authorities Rescue Orangutan and Her Baby from Wildfire in Central Kalimantan
- thestar.com.my:
Orange skies, toxic air spark student protests
- Tempo.co English:
Forest Fire Haze Continues to Shroud Central Kalimantan
- 20detik:
Video Perjuangan Warga Kotawaringin Timur Selamatkan Rumah dari Karhutla Kalteng
What we don’t know yet
The cause of the wildfire and the full extent of the damage are not yet known.
Background
Sampit is a large town located in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province of Indonesia. The region has seen an increase in wildfires, with 107,465 hectares of land affected by fires from January through June 2026, according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry.
What to watch next
The situation in Central Kalimantan remains a concern, with the wildfire crisis showing no signs of abating. As the region continues to struggle with the haze, it is essential to monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to ensure public safety.
Sources
- 20detik: Video Perjuangan Warga Kotawaringin Timur Selamatkan Rumah dari Karhutla Kalteng (24 Oct)
- Tempo.co English: Forest Fire Haze Continues to Shroud Central Kalimantan (24 Oct)
- thestar.com.my: Orange skies, toxic air spark student protests (24 Oct)
- Website Resmi Polri: Joint Authorities Rescue Orangutan and Her Baby from Wildfire in Central Kalimantan (23 Oct)
About this article: written with the help of AI from the sources listed and our own satellite measurements, and checked by the editors before publication. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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