Forest Fire Emergency Response Period in Kapuas Extended until 29 September

The Kapuas Regency Government, Central Kalimantan, has extended the emergency response status for forest and land fires (karhutla) and drought for the next 14 days. The extension of the emergency status will run from 16 to 29 September 2026.

“The extension of the emergency response period is due to the consideration of the ongoing forest fire and drought situation in several areas of Kapuas Regency,” said the Head of the Kapuas Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Pangeran S. Pandingan, in Kuala Kapuas, as reported by Antara on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

This announcement was made following an evaluation meeting regarding the emergency response to forest fires and drought at the Kapuas Regency Emergency Response Command Post on Tuesday (15/9) evening.

The meeting was led by the Regent of Kapuas, Muhammad Wiyatno, accompanied by the Kapuas Regional Secretary, Usis I. Sangkap. The meeting was attended by several local regional heads, members of the Forkopimda (Regional Leadership Coordination Forum), and sub-district heads from across Kapuas Regency.

Pangeran stated that, based on predictions from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), there will be no rainfall until 20 September. Rain is not forecast to arrive until late November 2026.

Therefore, he said, it was decided to continue the emergency response status for forest fires and drought for the next 14 days.

According to him, based on the recapitulation of forest fire data in the local regency from January to 14 September 2026, there were 258 recorded incidents, with a burnt area reaching 2,233.22 hectares, 21,925 hotspots, and 197 ground-based firefighting operations.

During the meeting, the Regent and the Deputy Chief of Kapuas Police proposed the installation of boreholes at certain points as part of the efforts to handle forest fires and drought.

“This was approved by the Regent, certainly with notes and considerations to ensure compliance with applicable regulations,” he added.

Through the meeting, Pangerian urged the entire community to play an active role in preventing forest fires. The public is requested to report immediately if they find any fire spots or fires so they can be addressed as early as possible.