Palangka Raya Extends Forest and Land Fire Emergency Status

The Palangka Raya city government in Central Kalimantan has extended its forest and land fire emergency status, which was previously due to end on 10 August, to 8 September 2026.

“The Palangka Raya city government together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum has decided to extend the forest and land fire and drought emergency status for 29 days, from 11 August to 8 September 2026,” said Hendrikus Satriya Budi, acting chief executive of the Palangka Raya Regional Disaster Management Agency, on Wednesday.

He explained that the extension was made considering field conditions, including the still high number of fire incidents and potential fires, the expanding affected area, and the increasing proximity of hotspots to residential areas.

In addition to the rising intensity of forest and land fires, limited water sources were also a consideration in strengthening the handling status. The dry season has made several water sources around fire locations increasingly difficult to obtain, so firefighting requires greater personnel and equipment support.

According to data from the Palangka Raya Regional Disaster Management Agency, since the forest and land fire alert status was declared on 1 June until 10 August 2026, 195 forest and land fire incidents were recorded, with a total burned area reaching 174.24 hectares.

Through the extension of the emergency status, the Palangka Raya city government hopes that cross-agency coordination, personnel deployment, infrastructure support, and prevention and firefighting efforts can be further strengthened.

The Palangka Raya city government also reiterated its appeal to the public not to open or clear land by burning and to report immediately if they find hotspots so that handling can be carried out as early as possible and does not spread to residential areas.

Budi said that the disaster management agency and a joint team from various agencies and volunteers are continuing to divide their strength and handling schedules to ensure that all fire points approaching residential areas can be handled optimally.

“We move to the locations and divide schedules with other teams. Our current focus is on fire points that are already approaching residential areas,” he said.

The disaster management agency urged the public not to open or clear land by burning. Residents are also asked to report immediately if they find hotspots or land-burning activities so that handling can be carried out as early as possible and prevent fires from spreading.