Hazardous Smoke from Indonesian Fires Blankets Palangka Raya
Wildfires are burning across multiple continents in August 2026, with hazardous smoke blanketing Indonesian cities in Kalimantan, a massive blaze in Belgium now under control after burning 3,000 hectares, and new fire detection systems being installed at Greek archaeological sites.
Hazardous Smoke Engulfs Palangka Raya
Air quality in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, has reached hazardous levels as smoke and soot from forest and land fires have blanketed parts of the city, authorities said on Friday. [1] “Based on Palangka Raya Disaster Agency data, air quality ranges from moderate to hazardous at certain times,” city official Samsul Rizal said. [1] He said forest and land fires affect more than just the environment, with smoke threatening public health, worsening air quality, reducing visibility, and disrupting transportation and other activities. [1] In early August, haze blanketed Palangka Raya, with air quality reaching hazardous levels, he said. [1] Data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) showed that Palangka Raya’s air quality reached the hazardous category at 5 a.m. local time, with a PM reading of 258.9, followed by 290.2 at 6 a.m. [1] From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., air quality ranged from unhealthy to healthy, with PM readings ranging from 236.3 at 7 a.m. to 68.7 at 11 a.m. [1] Much of Palangka Raya is covered by peatland, making the area particularly vulnerable because burning peat produces dense smoke and fires can be difficult to control, he said. [1] Samsul urged residents, businesses, customary leaders, community officials, and other stakeholders to protect the environment and immediately report fires or activities that could cause them. [1] “The government cannot work alone. We need public awareness and participation to detect and prevent fires at an early stage. Negligence or deliberate burning could have wider consequences,” he said. [1]
Hundreds of Fires Recorded in Central Kalimantan
Palangka Raya’s disaster agency recorded 298 forest and land fires from June 1 to Aug. 19, 2026. [1] The fires burned about 261.41 hectares across several subdistricts, Palangka Raya Disaster Agency Prevention and Preparedness Head Muhammad Heri Pauzi said. [1] “From June 1 to Aug. 19, we recorded 298 forest and land fires covering 261.41 hectares, with most occurring in Jekan Raya, followed by Sabangau,” he said. [1] Jekan Raya recorded the most fires, with 188 incidents, followed by Sabangau with 68, Pahandut with 25, and Bukit Batu with eight. [1] Rakumpit reported no fires. [1] Much of Palangka Raya is covered by peatland, making the area particularly vulnerable because burning peat produces dense smoke and fires can be difficult to control, he said. [1]
Police Launch Expert Investigation in Riau
Riau police have deployed five experts from different fields to investigate a forest and land fire in Bandar Kaya Village, Siak Kecil Subdistrict, Bengkalis District. [2] Riau Police Special Crimes Director Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Ridwan said the fire occurred in the concession area of PT Teguh Karsa Wana Lestari in early August 2026. [2] The experts joined investigators from the Riau Police Special Crimes Unit, led by sub-director Adjunct Senior Commissioner Teddy Ardian, at the site on Friday, he said. [2] "Forest fire cases must be investigated using facts and scientific evidence. We involved five experts with different expertise to ensure a comprehensive investigation," he said. [2] The experts include fire specialist Bambang Hero Saharjo, environmental damage expert Basuki Wasis of IPB University, environmental expert Nelson Sitohang, plantation expert Herman Marbun, and a mapping specialist. [2] The team conducted a comprehensive assessment of the burned land, identifying the ignition point, fire patterns, land and vegetation conditions, and suspected causes. [2] The assessment also examined environmental damage from the fire. [2] The plantation expert reviewed land characteristics and conditions, while the mapping expert verified the affected area's size and boundaries. [2] Ade said the experts' findings would strengthen the case evidence. [2] Investigators would compare the findings with field facts, including links between the fire site, cause, land conditions, and environmental impacts. [2] "We want to establish scientifically how the fire started, what caused it, its extent, and the environmental damage. The experts' findings will support the investigation," he said. [2]
Belgium Contains Century's Largest Wildfire
Belgium's largest wildfire in a century was brought "under control" Thursday after a seven-day fight involving hundreds of firefighters in the boggy terrain of the High Fens nature reserve. [4] "At this stage, the fire is now under control in its entirety and should no longer spread," barring a major change in weather conditions or other unforeseen factors, said the local governor's office. [4] The High Fens fire mushroomed over the weekend to half the size of Manhattan -- 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) -- charring a huge expanse of peatland, pine trees and hiking trails. [4] Firefighters wrestled "numerous flare-ups" under control overnight, working in very difficult conditions as powerful winds buffeted the eastern region bordering Germany -- with a "mini-tornado" even striking a town outside the park. [4] But the governor's office said the fire was now fully contained on its western side, with operations continuing to the east to finish the job. [4] Seven aircraft from Germany, Norway, Belgium and Sweden were carrying out water drops in and around the burned perimeter where ground temperatures remained "extremely high". [4] Aerial support crews, grounded by bad weather earlier in the week, hoped to keep operating until nightfall, when civil protection drones would take over the task of monitoring for "potential flare-ups," the governor's statement said. [4] Even once under control, officials have warned it will take weeks or even months of soaking and dousing to prevent the High Fens blaze from reigniting. [4] Around 350 firefighters and other emergency personnel remain deployed in the effort, as do the many farmers who mobilised in support of the operation since last week. [4] But authorities have lifted all evacuation orders in the border region since Wednesday, allowing the residents of several Belgian hamlets and a town on the German border to return home. [4] Germany's contingent of firefighters will start pulling out later Thursday, to be offset with Belgian firefighters including volunteers, the governor's office said. [4] Europe has been swept by weeks of devastating wildfires fuelled by dry conditions and a historically hot summer, with France, Greece, Portugal and Spain also battling major blazes. [4] Tackling the High Fens fire was made much harder by the fens' terrain -- a patchwork of heath, peat bogs and raised wooden boardwalks. [4] The blaze broke out for reasons still unknown in an area that was ravaged by massive fires in 1911, during a similar period of heatwaves. [4] It was the country's largest wildfire since. [4]
Greece Protects Ancient Sites with New Fire Systems
Early fire detection and protection systems are being installed at 22 major archaeological sites and monuments as part of efforts to protect the country’s cultural heritage from wildfires, the Culture Ministry said Thursday. [5] Eight systems are already operating at sites including Ancient Olympia, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mystras and Dion. [5] The technology was put to the test July 31, when the Mycenae system detected a fire at Fichtia in the Argolida region and automatically alerted a control center, providing real-time images and data. [5] Six more systems are expected to begin operating by August 31 at the Acropolis, the Palace of Nestor, Ancient Messene, Hosios Loukas, Nikopolis and Phaistos. [5] Another eight, including at Knossos, Delphi, Tatoi, Mount Athos and Dodona, are scheduled to follow in September. [5] The systems use thermal and optical cameras, including 360-degree and remotely operated cameras, to identify potential fires and transmit real-time information to control centers and the Fire Service. [5] The network also includes weather stations and portable firefighting cannons at selected sites. [5] The project is part of Greece’s AIGIS national civil protection program and is funded through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. [5]
Regional Prioritisation and Context
Indonesia prioritises Kalimantan region as wildfire hotspots rise. [3] Belgium's largest wildfire in a century was brought "under control" Thursday after a seven-day fight involving hundreds of firefighters in the boggy terrain of the High Fens nature reserve. [4] Europe has been swept by weeks of devastating wildfires fuelled by dry conditions and a historically hot summer, with France, Greece, Portugal and Spain also battling major blazes. [4]
What to watch next: Officials have warned it will take weeks or even months of soaking and dousing to prevent the High Fens blaze from reigniting, while six more detection systems are expected to begin operating by August 31 at additional Greek sites.
