C Kalimantan continues strict wildfire monitoring as hotspots decline

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3 hours ago

Palangka Raya, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) – The Central Kalimantan Provincial Government has assured that forest and fire hotspot monitoring remains strict despite a downward trend, ensuring optimal efforts to prevent wildfires.

“A decrease in hotspots does not mean we lower our guard,” Central Kalimantan Forestry Office Head Agustan Saining stressed in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday.

He noted that while the falling numbers show that control measures are working, the potential for fires remains and could spike again at any time.

The downward trend reflects data released by the Central Kalimantan Forestry Office, sourced from the sipongi.gakkum.kehutanan.go.id website with a medium-to-high confidence level.

This monitoring is taking place during the Emergency Response Status for Forest and Land Fires, in effect from August 31 to September 29, 2026.

As of September 8, 2026, 950 hotspots were recorded across Central Kalimantan. Compared to figures from September 6, the number of hotspots has begun to decline.

On September 6, there were 5,746 hotspots. That number dropped to 1,824 on September 7 and decreased further to 950 on September 8.

Agustan reaffirmed that monitoring and suppression efforts remain ongoing across all areas, particularly regions with high numbers of hotspots, such as Pulang Pisau District with 341 points, East Kotawaringin District with 125, and Sukamara District with 123.

He explained that, following instructions from Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran, his office is ensuring swift, targeted, and continuous fire handling through close collaboration with all relevant parties.

Forest and land fires have broken out across various regions in Indonesia, including Kalimantan, as the country faces a more intense dry season triggered by a strong El Niño phenomenon.

Earlier, during a meeting on disaster response in Jakarta on Monday (September 7), President Prabowo Subianto instructed the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to take legal action against corporations involved in forest and land fires, including those suspected of burning land to clear space for plantations.

Prabowo also called on officials to bolster planning by prioritizing mitigation and preventive measures rather than acting only after fires break out.