Forest and Land Fires Scorch 7 Hectares in Samarinda, Possible Arson Investigated

Samarinda Mayor Andi Harun inspected a land fire in the Pelita 8 area, Sambutan District, Samarinda, East Kalimantan. Andi Harun went to the location after receiving reports of two land fire points suspected of being deliberately set.

“We are also coordinating with the Police Chief and Babin, in case there is an element of intent,” said Andi Harun as quoted by detikKalimantan while inspecting the location on Tuesday (25/8/2026).

Andi Harun arrived at the location after receiving a fire report at around 15.00 WITA. Upon arrival, there were two fire points being handled by officers.

“Around 3 o’clock there was information about a land fire in the Pelita 8 area. We immediately moved here,” said Andi Harun.

The number one person in the City of Tepian said that by around 16.30 WITA, one fire point had been extinguished. Officers then continued the wetting process at the second point to ensure the fire did not reignite. From preliminary monitoring, the burned area is estimated to reach around 7 hectares.

“The extinguishing and wetting process can be completed by around 21.00 WITA,” he added.

During the extinguishing process, officers faced obstacles in the form of limited water sources. Around the location there is a small river connected to the Mahakam River. However, the receding condition of the river made the water supply insufficient.