West Kalimantan extended its haze emergency to Sept 20 as 73 Supadio flights stalled. Jakarta is sending firefighting gear north; Singapore PSI is unhealthy again.
Cover image: burnt peatland with smoke rising from Kalimantan forest fires — photo by NASA Earth Observatory, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
West Kalimantan has extended its haze emergency until September 20 as forest-fire smoke chokes airports across Borneo, with 73 flights delayed at Pontianak's Supadio Airport in visibility down to 300 metres. Jakarta is rushing firefighting gear to five Kalimantan provinces by sea, while Singapore's air quality has tipped back into the unhealthy range, reviving fears of a full transboundary haze episode.
Deputy governor Krisantus Kurniawan prolonged the province's Haze Disaster Emergency Response status from September 7 to September 20, funding operations from the Unexpected Expenditure budget for staff deployment, logistics, clean water and health services. Hotspot counts have fallen significantly but fires persist in several areas, and neighbouring Kubu Raya regency extended its own emergency on forecasts that drought will last until mid-October.
Which flights are disrupted by the Kalimantan haze?
Supadio Airport in Pontianak bore the brunt: 73 flights delayed as morning visibility collapsed to about 300 metres, below safe operating minimums. The disruption extends a miserable month for Borneo aviation that has already seen ASEAN's haze alert raised to level 3 and emergency mitigation funds released, including West Kalimantan's Rp5.5 billion mitigation plan.
Travellers heading to Borneo should expect rolling delays and possible cancellations through the weekend, monitor airline notifications, and build buffer days into itineraries touching Pontianak, Banjarmasin or Balikpapan. Masks rated N95 help outdoors when the air smells of smoke. Our earlier guide to park closures during fire season remains relevant for trekking plans.
What firefighting help is Jakarta sending?
The Ministry of Public Works is dispatching 13 additional firefighting units through its Directorate General of Water Resources, shipped by sea from Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta to river-basin agencies across all five Kalimantan provinces. West, Central and South Kalimantan each receive a 5,000-litre tanker truck, a 250-litre-per-second mobile pump and a 6-inch pump; East and North Kalimantan get 4,000-litre tankers plus pumps through their Samarinda and Tanjung Selor basin offices.
Agencies will also buy locally based on field needs: smaller pumps, jet sprinklers, backpack pumps, extension hoses and water storage tanks. "Priority is to respond quickly to field requirements," minister Dody Hanggodo said, while director general Arnold A.P. Ritiauw added the gear should "accelerate the handling of forest and land fires in Kalimantan". The announcement, made in Jakarta on September 15, signals the central government expects weeks more of fire weather.
| Haze response, September 2026 | Detail |
|---|---|
| West Kalimantan emergency | Extended Sept 7 to Sept 20 |
| Supadio Airport delays | 73 flights; visibility about 300m |
| Central-government equipment | 13 pump and tanker units to 5 provinces |
| Singapore central PSI (Sept 14) | 102 at noon, 108 by 2pm (unhealthy) |
| Drought forecast | Dry conditions until mid-October |
How bad is Singapore's air quality?
After four days of moderate readings, Singapore deteriorated again on Monday, September 14: central-area 24-hour PSI hit 102 at noon and 108 by 2pm, with other regions between 83 and 96. Anything from 101 to 200 counts as unhealthy. The National Environment Agency has issued daily haze advisories since September 4, the first elevated stretch since 2023.
Hotspots sit in southern Sumatra and western, central and southern Kalimantan, with moderate-to-dense haze hanging over central and southern Sumatra and western and central Kalimantan. Transboundary haze has also registered in Sarawak, peninsular Malaysia and southern Vietnam. Malaysians have endured their own crisis, with Serian's API hitting 519 earlier this month. Visitors to Singapore should follow NEA advisories and move workouts indoors on unhealthy days.
Frequently asked questions
Are flights to Borneo cancelled due to haze?
Flights are delayed rather than widely cancelled so far: 73 were held at Pontianak's Supadio Airport when visibility fell to 300 metres. Expect rolling delays through September 20 and check with airlines before heading to the airport.
Is it safe to travel to Kalimantan right now?
Cities near active fires face unhealthy air, disrupted flights and possible park closures. Postpone non-essential trips to fire-hit districts, carry N95 masks, and keep itineraries flexible until the emergency status lifts.
Why is Singapore hazy again?
Smoke from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan is drifting across the strait on dry-season winds. Singapore's central PSI crossed 100 on September 14, pushing the island back into the unhealthy band.
How long will the haze last?
West Kalimantan's emergency runs to September 20, but forecasters expect drought until mid-October, and Jakarta is pre-positioning equipment for a longer fight. The season typically eases only with sustained rains.
