Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) is maintaining real-time air quality monitoring in areas affected by forest and land fires to provide reliable information for communities and help them reduce potential health risks.
KLH/BPLH Director of Air Quality Protection and Management Edward Nixon Pakpahan said the government continuously updates air quality information through ISPUNET every 30 minutes. The frequent updates are intended to reflect rapidly changing conditions influenced by fire hotspots, wind direction, and atmospheric conditions.
“KLH/BPLH is focused on providing valid and real-time air quality information. People can check the air quality in their areas in real time and adjust their activities, particularly when conditions become unhealthy,” Nixon said during a press conference held by the Forest and Land Fire Response Coordination Desk at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
KLH/BPLH has urged residents in affected areas to reduce outdoor activities, spend more time indoors, and prioritize protection for vulnerable groups when air quality deteriorates.
The government has also emphasized the importance of accurate and timely public information amid concerns over misinformation related to the fires.
Honi Havana, Head of the Public Relations, Communication and Information Bureau at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, said authorities must carefully manage information on fire response operations to prevent unnecessary public concern while maintaining transparency.
“Information needs to be delivered quickly, but accuracy is even more important,” Honi said.
Nursodik Gunarjo, Director of Public Information at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), urged the public to remain alert to misleading information, including old videos presented as recent incidents and reports circulated without sufficient context.
He encouraged people to verify information through official government channels before sharing or acting on it.
Forest and land fire mitigation is being conducted through an integrated, cross-sectoral operation coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) provides information on weather anomalies and potential hotspots, while the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) leads firefighting operations in the field.
KLH/BPLH, the Indonesian National Police, and the Ministry of Forestry are also involved in law enforcement related to forest and land fires. Meanwhile, Komdigi and the Government Communications Agency (Bakom RI) are responsible for ensuring that developments are communicated to the public accurately and reliably.
As part of its environmental law enforcement efforts, KLH/BPLH has sealed 50 business entities in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
However, the agency said the sealing measures still require field verification and further examination to objectively and transparently determine each company’s involvement and level of responsibility.
KLH/BPLH said it would continue strengthening real-time air quality monitoring and accountable law enforcement until conditions return to normal. (*)
