Smoke from forest and land fires in Kalimantan has reached Jakarta, prompting Indonesia’s weather agency to advise residents to wear masks when outdoors.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) confirmed that smoke from the fires had spread to the capital.
However, the agency did not provide details on when the smoke arrived, which parts of Jakarta were most affected or the concentration of smoke in the air.
BMKG advises residents to wear masks
BMKG’s advice applies to people carrying out outdoor activities. The agency did not specify what type of mask residents should wear or how long they should use one.
Residents were advised to take precautions when going outside and follow official updates on local conditions.
The arrival of smoke in Jakarta highlights how the effects of fires in Kalimantan can extend beyond the areas where they occur.
However, without air-quality measurements or pollution readings, the severity of conditions in the capital remains unclear. BMKG has also not identified the locations of the fires or explained how the smoke travelled to Jakarta.
Air quality details remain unclear
Forest and land fires can produce smoke that travels beyond the affected areas. In this case, BMKG confirmed that smoke from Kalimantan had reached Jakarta but did not provide figures on the area burned, the number of fire hotspots or pollutant concentrations.
The lack of detailed readings means the extent of exposure across the city cannot be determined from the alert alone. The available information also does not establish specific health risks or indicate whether conditions differ between areas.
Residents have been advised to wear masks when outdoor activities are necessary and to monitor official updates for further information on air quality and any changes to the guidance.
