Politics · Indonesia · 1 hr ago
Smoke from Merauke fires disrupts life in Mimika
Forest and land fires in Merauke, in Indonesia’s South Papua province, are sending thick smoke into Mimika district.
Mimika district head Johannes Rettob says the smoke has covered the area for nearly a week and is getting worse.
He has asked Indonesia’s central government and disaster agency for help putting out the fires.
The smoke has worsened air quality, and cases of acute respiratory infections have risen, especially among children.
Mimika has closed early-childhood and primary schools, while older students continue classes wearing masks.
Local authorities are distributing masks and have increased hospital services.
Smoke has also stopped some planes from landing at Timika’s Mozes Kilangin Airport, with flights diverted to Jayapura; Rettob says the fires themselves are outside Mimika.
Smoke from forest and land fires in Merauke has covered Mimika for nearly a week, disrupting daily life.
Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob says air quality has worsened and acute respiratory infections have increased, especially among children.
The Mimika government has suspended classes for early-childhood and primary-school pupils, while older students continue lessons wearing masks.
Smoke has also prevented some aircraft from landing at Mozes Kilangin Timika Airport, with a flight diverted to Jayapura.
Rettob has asked Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency to help tackle the fires at their source.
- Who
- Residents of Mimika are affected by smoke from fires in Merauke; Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob has requested assistance.
- What
- Smoke has disrupted schooling, worsened health conditions and affected flights.
- When
- The smoke had covered Mimika for nearly a week as of the report published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The fires are in Merauke, South Papua; smoke has affected Mimika, including Timika Airport.
- Why
- Smoke from the fires in Merauke has drifted into Mimika.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Thick smoke from Merauke covered Mimika.
Mimika had issued a circular suspending classes for early-childhood and primary-school pupils.
Smoke prevented some aircraft from landing at Timika Airport, and a flight was diverted to Jayapura.
- Fire location
- Merauke, South Papua
- Affected area
- Mimika, including Timika
- School measures
- Early-childhood and primary-school classes suspended; older students continued lessons wearing masks
- Airport disruption
- A flight was diverted to Jayapura after aircraft could not land at Timika Airport
What people are saying
We have reported to Jakarta so the National Disaster Management Agency must step in.
The air quality is getting worse. Acute respiratory infections are also increasing, especially among children.
The fires are not in Mimika; what we can do is take response measures such as distributing masks.
Sources
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