{
  "id": 628749,
  "title": "Schools close, flights delayed as wildfire haze blankets Kalimantan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/schools-close-flights-delayed-as-wildfire-haze-blankets-kalimantan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T04:03:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/08/12/schools-close-flights-delayed-as-wildfire-haze-blankets-kalimantan.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Wildfire haze envelops Kalimantan, leading to school closures, flight delays, and a spike in upper respiratory infections.\n\nIn West Kalimantan, Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono made the decision to shift all schools to remote learning due to the smoke from fires elsewhere darkening the city. Pontianak, with tens of thousands of students, has been significantly impacted by the haze.\n\nThe mayor's announcement came as part of efforts to protect public health, as air quality remains poor. State news agency Antara reported Edi's statement, which emphasized the necessity of remote learning until the air quality improves.\n\nThe haze has not only affected educational activities but also air travel. Flights have been delayed as the dense smoke reduces visibility and poses a safety risk. The situation in Kalimantan has exacerbated an already challenging fire season, according to official data and independent analysis.",
  "summary": "Official data and independent analysis show that fire activity this year has surpassed levels recorded during the same period in 2019, when Indonesia experienced one of its most devastating fire seasons in recent history.",
  "key_points": [
    "Schools in West Kalimantan close for remote learning",
    "Flight delays due to smoke reducing visibility",
    "Haze exacerbates challenging fire season"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}