Palangka Raya Declares Forest Fire and Drought Emergency as Water Crisis Spreads
The forest and land fire (karhutla) emergency response status in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, has been extended due to worsening conditions exacerbated by a water crisis.
The Palangka Raya city government has extended the emergency status that was originally due to end on 10 August 2026. However, the status now covers not only forest and land fires but has been expanded to a Forest Fire and Drought Emergency Response.
The extended emergency status is in effect from 11 August to 8 September 2026.
“It has been extended. Yesterday we held a meeting with the full joint team, including the TNI and Polri, and it was decided to extend it. However, there is a change: previously it was a forest and land fire emergency response, now it is a forest fire and drought emergency response,” said Palangka Raya Mayor Fairid Naparin on Tuesday (11/8), as quoted by detikKalimantan.
He explained that drought has now become a serious problem because water shortages are beginning to be felt in the field.
He said the situation could potentially make it increasingly difficult for personnel to extinguish fires and wet peatland.
“Because water is becoming increasingly scarce. We have now entered the drought stage. The challenge is not only extinguishing fires, but also how to obtain water sources more easily to support operations in the field,” said Fairid.
Despite facing limited water sources, Fairid assured that extinguishing and wetting operations are continuing. The city government is also continuing to coordinate with the central government to obtain support in dealing with the situation.
“We are continuing to extinguish fires and wet peatland. At the same time, we are looking for solutions regarding water sources. Assistance from BNPB and the central government is still ongoing,” he explained.
Forest fire handling in Palangka Raya to date has involved many parties, including the TNI, Polri, volunteers, BNPB and other relevant agencies.
Personnel and equipment support from the central government is also still being provided to help the region deal with the fires.
Meanwhile, regarding the possibility of involving civil servants (ASN) in extinguishing operations as has been done in several other regions, Fairid said the policy has not yet been implemented in Palangka Raya.
“For now, we have not yet involved ASN. Because we are still receiving a lot of assistance from the TNI, Polri, volunteers, BNPB personnel and other relevant agencies. But we evaluate every day. If it is indeed needed in the future, we will certainly consider it,” he said.
In terms of budget, the Palangka Raya city government is using Unexpected Expenditure (BTT) funds as well as the BPBD Budget Implementation Document (DPA) to support the handling of forest fires and drought.
With the emergency status extended until 8 September, the Palangka Raya city government is reminding the public not to be complacent.
The increasingly dry land conditions coupled with limited water sources make the potential for fires increasingly difficult to handle. In addition, residents are asked to avoid activities that could trigger fires and to report immediately if they find hotspots or plumes of smoke around residential areas and land areas.