Forest Fire Update: Hotspots Rise in West Kalimantan, Decline in South and Central Kalimantan
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that hotspots indicating forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Kalimantan continued to increase as of Monday (31/8).
Meanwhile, South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan were observed to have experienced a decline.
“We can see that in West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan, the number of hotspots has relatively increased. In West Kalimantan the increase is significant. In South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, it has relatively declined,” said Berton SP Panjaitan, Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, during a press conference on Monday.
In West Kalimantan, hotspots rose by 3,553 to 7,377 points, while fire spots increased by 16 to 72 points. Visibility in West Kalimantan was recorded at less than 1 km.
In Central Kalimantan, hotspots fell by 147 to 5,244 points, while fire spots rose by 16 to 72 points. Visibility was recorded at less than 1 km.
In South Kalimantan, hotspots fell by 405 to 504 points, while fire spots rose by three to 55 points. Visibility was recorded at less than 2 km.
Berton said that in Sumatra, specifically in Riau, South Sumatra and Jambi, fire spots were observed to have relatively declined. However, hotspots were observed to have increased in South Sumatra.
“In Riau and Jambi, hotspots have decreased significantly. Visibility varies between 4 and 5 kilometres in Riau and South Sumatra, while Jambi is around 7 kilometres,” he said.
In Riau, hotspots fell by 202 to 62 points, while fire spots fell by two to 12 points. Visibility in the area was recorded at 4–5 km.
In South Sumatra, hotspots rose by 209 to 1,013 points, while fire spots fell by seven to 11 points. Visibility in South Sumatra was recorded at less than 5 km.
In Jambi, hotspots fell by 86 to 49 points, with four fire spots recorded. Visibility in the area was observed at 6–7 km.
Berton said firefighting efforts continue through both ground and air operations. For air operations, 53 aircraft have been deployed to support forest and land fire handling in six priority provinces: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan.
“We currently have 53 air units, of which 19 are conducting patrols and weather modification operations, and 34 are assisting water bombing operations via helicopter,” he said.