Forestry Minister Raja Juli Admits Hotspot Increase, West and Central Kalimantan Priority for Fire Management

The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, stated that the trend of forest and land fire (karhutla) hotspots in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan has increased after a previous decline. This rise in hotspots has made both provinces the primary priorities for fire management.

“After all six priority provinces previously showed a downward trend, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are showing an increase in hotspots today. This means that the national priority remains West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan,” said Minister Raja Antoni in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday (2/9/2026).

Following an inspection of forest fires in Jambi today, Minister Raja Antoni stated that he and the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, will travel to Pontianak to strengthen coordination with all stakeholders in West Kalimantan, including the Governor, Regional Police Chief, and Regional Military Commander. This coordination aims to drive down the number of hotspots and verified fire spots.

“Therefore, tomorrow we are going to Pontianak to meet with all stakeholders—the Governor, Police Chief, and Military Commander—to regroup, conduct evaluations, and devise mitigation plans,” the Minister added.

Minister Raja Antoni reminded that forest fire management still requires collective vigilance. He noted that the peak of El Niño occurs this September, necessitating cooperation from various parties in the prevention and management of forest fires.

According to Sipongi data from the Ministry of Forestry as of 1 September 2026, hotspots in West Kalimantan rose from 273 to 859, and Central Kalimantan from 253 to 623. South Sumatra increased from 20 to 89, South Kalimantan from 22 to 73, Riau remained at 0, while Jambi rose from 0 to 4 hotspots.