The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the spread of smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) began moving away from the Greater Jakarta area starting Saturday, October 17, 2026. Despite its movement away from the region, residual smoke distribution is still detected off the western coast of Banten at an altitude of approximately 10,000–18,000 feet or 3–5.4 kilometers.
This information was conveyed by BMKG through a press release on October 17, 2026, and reported again on Sunday, October 18, 2026. This monitoring is a matter of concern because forest fire smoke can move according to atmospheric conditions and wind direction, meaning its distribution can change from time to time.
BMKG reminded that smoke detected via satellite imagery does not always mean pollutant concentrations at the surface have increased. Therefore, the public still needs to monitor air quality information in their respective regions and should not conclude air quality conditions solely based on the appearance of smoke from satellites.
BMKG Monitors Forest Fire Smoke on October 16 and 17, 2026
According to BMKG statements, satellite imagery monitoring results on Friday, October 16, 2026, showed that the spread of forest fire smoke temporarily entered western Java, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. This condition was reported to last briefly.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, BMKG conducted further monitoring at 08:00, 10:00, and 13:00 Western Indonesian Time. The monitoring results at these three times showed that the spread of smoke began moving away from the Greater Jakarta area gradually.
BMKG Principal Secretary Guswanto explained that changes in wind direction and weakening wind speeds at certain altitudes affected the shift of smoke from western Java.
BMKG still detects residual smoke distribution off the western coast of Banten at an altitude of about 10,000–18,000 feet. This finding indicates that the movement of smoke in the atmosphere still needs to be monitored even though its distribution has started moving away from Greater Jakarta.
Has Jakarta's Air Quality Returned to Normal?
The movement of forest fire smoke away from Greater Jakarta does not automatically mean that air quality across all parts of Jakarta has returned to normal. Data presented in the BMKG press release shows that air quality conditions at several points in Jakarta still vary.
BMKG stated that measurements of fine particulate matter PM2.5 concentrations in Kemayoran, Jakarta, ranged between 46.7 and 109.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). This range spans from moderate to unhealthy categories.
Meanwhile, Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) data from the Ministry of Environment cited by BMKG showed differing conditions across several monitoring locations in Jakarta.
| Monitoring Location | ISPU Value | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Marunda | 49 | Good |
| Tanah Abang | 60 | Moderate |
| Kelapa Gading | 103 | Unhealthy |
| Menteng | 116 | Unhealthy |
| Kebun Jeruk | 120 | Unhealthy |
Note: The figures above are data listed in the BMKG statement on October 17, 2026, and are not direct readings for the entire Jakarta region at the time this article is read. ISPU values may change according to time and monitoring location.
These differing values highlight the importance of looking at data for specific locations. Conditions at a single monitoring point cannot be directly used to describe the air quality of the entire Greater Jakarta area.
Forest Fire Smoke Still Detected in Several Regions of Indonesia
Although the spread of smoke has begun moving away from western Java, BMKG reported that forest fire smoke is still observed across most of Sumatra and Kalimantan, central to southern Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands, and most of Papua.
According to BMKG, the distribution of smoke in these regions was observed moving northwest to northeast. The direction of movement can be influenced by wind patterns in atmospheric layers and the development of hotspots at fire source areas.
BMKG recorded 478 hotspots with a high confidence level based on monitoring on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 00:00 to 23:59 Western Indonesian Time. The highest numbers were recorded in South Sumatra with 189 hotspots, followed by East Java with 89 hotspots, and South Papua with 63 hotspots. West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan recorded 26 hotspots each.
Hotspot data is the result of monitoring during the stated period and should not be considered the latest hotspot count on October 18. Developments may change along with observation updates.
Why Did the Smoke Move Away from Greater Jakarta?
The movement of forest fire smoke is influenced by atmospheric dynamics, including wind direction and speed at various altitude layers. Because wind conditions can differ between the surface and higher atmospheric layers, the direction of smoke distribution can also change.
In its October 17, 2026 statement, BMKG mentioned that wind patterns in the 925–500 hPa atmospheric layer were generally dominated by winds from the east to southeast with speeds of 5–34 knots. These patterns affect the movement and dispersion of smoke as well as rain cloud growth processes in various regions.
However, the shift of smoke away from a region does not mean the fire source has been completely extinguished. As long as hotspots and conditions supporting forest fires are still found, the development of smoke distribution must continue to be monitored.
BMKG Appeals for Greater Jakarta Residents
BMKG urges the public to remain vigilant against hot weather, dry air conditions, and potential air quality degradation caused by forest fire smoke. Residents are asked to monitor weather and air quality developments through official sources.
Here are several steps the public can take:
- Check location-specific air quality information through official government sources.
- Limit outdoor activities if surrounding air quality worsens.
- Use appropriate masks to help reduce exposure to smoke particles when in affected areas.
- Vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions, need to be extra careful when air quality deteriorates.
- Maintain adequate body fluids and use protection from sunlight when engaging in outdoor activities.
- Avoid burning trash or clearing land by burning, especially on peatlands, bushes, and forest areas.
BMKG also reminds the public to report indications of fires to the authorities. Prevention and preparedness efforts are needed to reduce the risk of forest fires and their impact on the community.
How to Monitor Smoke and Air Quality Developments
The public can follow weather updates and atmospheric information through the official BMKG website at bmkg.go.id, the InfoBMKG application, and the official social media channel @infobmkg.
For air quality information, residents can also check ISPU data from the Ministry of Environment and pay attention to the location and time of measurement. This data helps provide an overview of local conditions, but does not always represent a broader area.
It should be understood that satellite imagery detecting smoke distribution and surface pollutant measurements measure different things. Therefore, both need to be read together to understand the situation more accurately.
Forest Fire Smoke Developments as of October 18, 2026
Until Sunday, October 18, 2026, the latest BMKG information found states that the spread of forest fire smoke began moving away from Greater Jakarta starting Saturday, October 17. Monitoring at 08:00, 10:00, and 13:00 Western Indonesian Time on that day showed a gradual shift of smoke, while residual distribution is still detected off the western coast of Banten at an altitude of 10,000–18,000 feet.
On the other hand, data cited by BMKG shows that air quality at several points in Jakarta still varies, including falling into the unhealthy category. Therefore, the departure of smoke in the atmosphere cannot be used as the sole basis for stating that air quality across all of Greater Jakarta has recovered.
The public is advised to continue monitoring BMKG updates and location-based air quality data. Information updated regularly will help residents determine anticipatory steps based on actual conditions.