Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Balikpapan shortens school hours as wildfire smoke worsens air quality
Wildfire smoke has worsened air quality in Balikpapan, a city in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan province.
The city’s education department has shortened lessons, and schools may delay their start times depending on air conditions.
On October 12, air quality readings at two monitoring stations showed unhealthy or concerning pollution levels.
The measures follow national education guidance and pollution monitoring by Indonesia’s environment ministry.
Balikpapan recorded 127 land fires from the start of 2026 through October 12, burning about 81 hectares of mostly grass and scrub.
Most fires were recorded in August and September, with the highest number in Balikpapan Timur district.
School schedules will be adjusted according to air quality and applicable rules.
Wildfire smoke has worsened air quality in Balikpapan, prompting the city’s education department to reduce lesson durations and allow school start times to be delayed.
IQAir data put the city’s air quality index at 167, classified as unhealthy.
The city’s environmental monitoring recorded PM2.5 pollution readings of 118 at Sepinggan Station and 116 at Balikpapan Baru Station on October 12.
Balikpapan recorded 127 land fires in 2026 by October 12, affecting an estimated 81 hectares.
- Who
- Balikpapan’s Education and Culture Department is adjusting school schedules; the fires were recorded by the city’s disaster management agency.
- What
- Schools are reducing lesson durations and may delay start times because of poor air quality.
- When
- The measures were agreed on October 12, 2026. Fire figures were reported through 9 a.m. that day.
- Where
- Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Why
- Smoke from land and forest fires has worsened air quality; monitoring data showed unhealthy or concerning pollution levels.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Balikpapan recorded 40 land fires.
Balikpapan recorded 69 land fires.
Monitoring recorded PM2.5 index readings of 118 at Sepinggan Station and 116 at Balikpapan Baru Station.
City officials agreed to adjust school activities and lesson durations in response to air quality.
- IQAir air quality index
- 167, classified as unhealthy
- Sepinggan Station
- PM2.5 index of 118 on October 12, 2026
- Balikpapan Baru Station
- PM2.5 index of 116 on October 12, 2026
- Land fires
- 127 recorded in 2026 through October 12
- Burned area
- About 81 hectares
- Fire counts
- 40 in August and 69 in September 2026
What people are saying
There is a reduction in lesson duration, as well as adjustments or delays to school start times based on air quality conditions and applicable rules.
As of October 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. local time, 127 land fires had been recorded in Balikpapan during 2026.
Sources
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