West Kotawaringin Extends Forest and Land Fire Emergency Status
The West Kotawaringin Regency administration in Central Kalimantan has extended its forest and land fire emergency status from 21 August to 4 September 2026.
West Kotawaringin Regent Nurhidayah said in Pangkalan Bun on Wednesday that the extension was based on the latest data from the West Kotawaringin Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as of 18 August 2026 at 09.00 WIB.
“Forest and land fire incidents and hotspots in our area have increased again. The area of land burned by forest and land fires has now reached 859.49 hectares, with 189 incidents and 461 hotspots,” she said.
Of the total, the districts of Arut Selatan and Kumai remain the areas with the most extensive affected land.
In Kumai District, around 584.41 hectares have burned, with 63 incidents and 124 hotspots. In Arut Selatan District, 180.475 hectares have burned, with 98 incidents and 226 hotspots.
Kotawaringin Lama District recorded eight incidents, 34 hotspots and 32.1 hectares of burned land; Pangkalan Banteng recorded 10 incidents, 12 hotspots and 24 hectares burned; Pangkalan Lada recorded six incidents covering eight hectares; and Arut Utara recorded four incidents, 65 hotspots and 30.5 hectares of burned land.
“West Kotawaringin Regency is currently in second place among areas in Central Kalimantan in terms of forest and land fire area. However, in terms of handling, West Kotawaringin is ranked ninth and remains under control,” Nurhidayah said.
Nurhidayah made the remarks after monitoring the main forest and land fire handling command post at the West Kotawaringin BPBD office.
“Logistics are very important for our personnel in the field, and the readiness of facilities and infrastructure is one of the key factors in supporting the effectiveness of forest and land fire handling,” Nurhidayah said.
Through the extension of the emergency status, the West Kotawaringin administration continues to ensure that cross-agency coordination, personnel deployment, infrastructure support, and prevention and suppression efforts can be further strengthened.
The BPBD and a joint team from various agencies and volunteers are currently dividing their forces and handling schedules to ensure that all fire points approaching settlements can be dealt with optimally.
“We are moving to the locations and dividing schedules with other teams. Our current focus is on fire points that are approaching residential areas,” she said.
The regent also urged the public not to clear land by burning.
Residents are also asked to report immediately if they find fire points or land-burning activity so that handling can be carried out as early as possible and prevent fires from spreading.