Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security urges West Kalimantan to prevent forest and land fires early

This fact underscores that the threat of fires in West Kalimantan has genuinely emerged since the beginning of the year and requires continuous vigilance. Pontianak (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security General TNI (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago has asked the West Kalimantan Provincial Government to strengthen early prevention measures against forest and land fires (karhutla) following the detection of increased fire threats since early 2026. “This fact confirms that the fire threat in West Kalimantan has genuinely emerged since the start of the year and requires continuous vigilance,” Djamari said during the Forest and Land Fire Preparedness Roll Call in Pontianak on Thursday. He stressed that the potential for karhutla in West Kalimantan is not merely local but spread across various regions, thus requiring integrated preparedness across sectors, involving the central government, local authorities, and other stakeholders. Djamari also highlighted the distribution of karhutla incidents in several areas such as Kubu Raya, Sambas, Ketapang, Mempawah, and Kayong Utara. This situation, according to him, indicates that the karhutla threat must be addressed comprehensively across all regencies and cities. “The threat is not solely local but spread throughout all regencies and cities,” he stated. He added that the characteristics of peatlands in West Kalimantan pose a particular challenge in handling karhutla, as fire can spread underground and is difficult to fully extinguish. In addition, climatic factors further amplify the fire risk. Based on analysis by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the early dry season of 2026 is expected to arrive sooner, with potential increased fire risks in the second semester of this year. Djamari emphasised that early warnings issued since the beginning of the year must be responded to with anticipatory measures without waiting for the peak of the dry season. “Before that happens, BMKG has given warnings to us all, and BNPB has conducted weather modification operations,” he said. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq affirmed that the government prioritises prevention efforts involving various parties from the early stages. “At the prevention stage, we then take action,” he said. He added that karhutla handling has been clearly divided between the central government, province, and regencies/cities, so all parties are expected to play an active role in reducing fire risks. The government hopes that strengthened early prevention measures in West Kalimantan can minimise the impacts of karhutla on the environment, public health, and regional economic activities.