BMKG urges fire mitigation as East Kalimantan records 11,869 hotspots

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Balikpapan, E Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) urged stronger wildfire prevention and response measures in East Kalimantan after detecting 11,869 hotspots across the province from Aug. 1-21, 2026.

“There were 11,869 hotspots detected in East Kalimantan by BMKG during Aug. 1-21,” Huda Abshor Mukhsinin, head of BMKG Balikpapan Station’s data and information team, said here Saturday.

The hotspots were detected across 10 districts and cities, he said.

The figure exceeded the 9,793 hotspots detected during the same period in 2015, as El Nino conditions this year have produced drier conditions.

Mukhsinin said public education was crucial, particularly urging residents not to burn land when clearing areas for farming or plantations.

“Burning can spread to other areas, especially during strong winds,” he said, urging residents to adopt safer land-clearing methods.

People working in plantations and forests should also avoid discarding lit cigarette butts, which could ignite dry leaves and other vegetation, he said.

“The peak heat period is forecast for September to October, so the number of hotspots is likely to increase,” Mukhsinin said.

The 11,869 hotspots recorded over 21 days represented an average of about 565 hotspots a day across East Kalimantan, he said.

Real-time data from BMKG Balikpapan Station showed 980 hotspots in the province on Friday, Aug. 21, with Berau District recording the highest number at 439.