IKN on High Alert! Fires Burning Across 319 Hectares of Land Not Yet Extinguished

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Forest and land fires (karhutla) remain a government concern across several regions of Indonesia. In East Kalimantan (Kaltim), fires have left hundreds of hectares of land that still need to be urgently addressed, including within the Nusantara Capital (IKN) area.

Acting Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre Berton Panjaitan said the total area burned in East Kalimantan as of 14 September 2026 had reached 5,761 hectares.

That figure comprises roughly 2,715.76 hectares based on SiPongi data up to 31 July 2026, plus an additional 3,045.81 hectares measured in the field between 1 August and 14 September 2026.

“For East Kalimantan, the total burned land stands at 5,761 hectares and we have identified 20 hotspots there, with an estimated burned area yesterday of more than 701 hectares, of which more than 381 hectares could be extinguished - the Ground Task Force putting out more than 358 hectares and the Air Task Force more than 23 hectares,” Berton said at a BNPB press conference on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

Consequently, around 319.95 hectares remain unextinguished. BNPB said part of the remaining fires is located within the IKN area.

“So we can see there is a remainder that has not been extinguished - as of today, more than 319 hectares, particularly in IKN, which needs to be addressed,” he said.

Berton explained that on 14 September 2026 there were 20 fire spots (FS) in East Kalimantan, with the estimated burned area reaching 701.27 hectares. Of that area, some 381.32 hectares were successfully extinguished.

In detail, the Ground Task Force extinguished 358.32 hectares, while the Air Task Force put out around 23 hectares through water bombing.

To tackle the fires, BNPB has deployed 4,392 Ground Task Force personnel. Aerial support consists of two water-bombing helicopters.

Weather conditions in East Kalimantan, Berton said, are actually relatively better compared to previous days. However, he noted that no rain has fallen in the past week.

“Weather conditions are relatively better than previous days, but we can report that in the past week there has been no rainfall,” he said.

Nonetheless, visibility in East Kalimantan remains relatively normal at around 8-10 kilometres, with fairly clear weather and minimal smoke haze. Flights, he added, are also continuing as normal.

The fires in East Kalimantan form part of the government’s karhutla response in six priority provinces: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi and Riau.

Not Only Kalimantan: Fires Also Rage in These Regions

Karhutla has not been confined to Kalimantan. BNPB has also recorded a number of fires outside the priority regions that are currently being handled or monitored.

In East Java, for example, fires have occurred in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) area and Mount Butak. Extinguishing efforts are supported by one water-bombing helicopter.

Meanwhile in North Maluku, the total fire-affected land has reached 44.5 hectares. The government is conducting weather modification operations (OMC) to wet the land and prevent recurring fires. To date, the OMC has carried out 10 sorties with 10 tonnes of seeding material.

In Central Java, fires have occurred at the Putri Cempo landfill in Surakarta, as well as in two districts in Wonogiri Regency. At Putri Cempo, the total affected area has reached 6.31 hectares, with around 0.6 hectares still being handled.

Meanwhile in Wonogiri, fires have swept approximately 16.59 hectares. BNPB said there have been no casualties and handling is still under way.

Fires have also been recorded in North Kalimantan, specifically in Gunung Seriang village, Bulungan Regency, covering roughly 4 hectares. The flames are still being handled by a joint team and there have been no casualties.

In Central Sulawesi, fires have occurred in Poso Regency covering around 30 hectares, as well as plantations of some 48 hectares in Tojo Una-Una Regency.

Then in Lampung, fires have hit South Lampung Regency covering around 7 hectares and Mesuji Regency covering about 339.3 hectares. In both locations, the fires have been successfully extinguished and have now entered the monitoring and cooling phase.

Meanwhile in Southeast Sulawesi, fires covering up to 423.14 hectares have occurred in six districts in East Kolaka Regency. The fires are not yet fully extinguished and the cause is still under investigation.

BNPB has urged regional governments to strengthen their karhutla response, including by accelerating the mobilisation of firefighting equipment and infrastructure and by strengthening data integration down to site level.