Indonesia wildfires force school closures and mass evacuations across five provinces

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 28, 2026 at 01:36 AM

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Indonesia wildfires force school closures and mass evacuations across five provinces

Wildfires burning across Indonesia have forced school closures and thousands of medical treatments for haze exposure, with 3.4 million people at risk of respiratory infections. President Prabowo Subianto deployed dozens of helicopters, aircraft, water pumps, and thousands of personnel to battle blazes in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, and Papua. Emergency crews face water shortages and limited protective equipment as fires spread through dried-up peatland.

Key Facts

Indonesia's Health Ministry reports 3.4 million people are at risk of respiratory infections from wildfire haze.
President Prabowo Subianto said on Tuesday the government deployed dozens of helicopters, aircraft, water pumps, and thousands of personnel.
The Health Ministry distributed more than 260,000 face masks to residents of the hardest-hit areas.
Wildfires have been burning for more than a month across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, and Papua.
Volunteer firefighter Anas Dwi Wahyu Kurniawan says the fires are similar in scale to those in 2016.

Firefighting Response

President Prabowo Subianto announced on Tuesday the deployment of dozens of helicopters, aircraft, water pumps, and thousands of personnel to battle the blazes. Emergency crews in Kubu Raya and other parts of West Kalimantan are grappling with water shortages and haze that hampers visibility. Volunteer firefighter Anas Dwi Wahyu Kurniawan said crews face limitations in personal protective equipment and emergency supplies such as portable oxygen. He added that with water sources far away and inadequate equipment, the situation will continue unless there is a change in the weather.

Health Impact

Indonesia's Health Ministry says 3.4 million people are at risk of respiratory infections due to exposure to thick haze and ash. The ministry has distributed more than 260,000 face masks to residents of the hardest-hit areas. Doctors report that many patients are arriving with persistent coughs and sore throats, or throat inflammation. Resident Salma of Kubu Raya said she evacuated after fires grew and spread for nearly two weeks, fearing her house would burn down.

1 source

Indonesia wildfires force school closures and mass evacuations across five provinces

aljazeera.com

Al Jazeera English

Perspectives

YouTube

Indonesia’s Wildfire Turns Poisonous | 10 Million Sick As Toxic Smoke Swallows Cities | VERTEX

VERTEX

36,000 Hectares Burn, 600 Schools Shut | Indonesia & Malaysia Battle Toxic Wildfire Haze | VERTEX

VERTEX

Schools shut as noxious haze hits Indonesia region

AP Archive

Environment

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Indonesia wildfires force school closures and mass evacuations across five provinces

Key Facts

Firefighting Response

Health Impact

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