VP Gibran Inspects Central Kalimantan Fire Response

RRI.CO.ID, Palangka Raya – Forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan have burned 9,228.04 hectares as of September 9, 2026.

Amid the threat of haze, local authorities are facing access constraints and limited water sources, prompting a request to the central government for additional helicopters to accelerate aerial firefighting.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to inspect the situation and review the provincial administration’s efforts to control the fires.

“The provincial administration is strengthening preparedness and the response to forest and land fires by deploying personnel, equipment, and operational support, and by enhancing coordination with the central government and various relevant stakeholders,” Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran said, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that field operations still face several obstacles, particularly difficult access to fire locations and limited water sources. These conditions complicate firefighting efforts, especially in areas that are hard to reach by land.

For this reason, the provincial administration is requesting additional helicopters, firefighting equipment, and water sources in fire‑prone areas.

The central government is also strengthening coordination with the military (TNI), police (Polri), firefighters, volunteers, and local communities. Cross‑sector collaboration is considered crucial to ensuring that each fire is handled quickly while minimizing its impact on the public and the environment.

As of September 9, 2026, the Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Emergency Response Command Post has recorded 2,819 fire incidents. With fire activity remaining high, air quality has become a serious concern.

During his visit, Vice President Gibran is scheduled to inspect several affected locations, including state-run elementary school SDN‑2 Petuk Katimpun and the Nyaru Menteng area. The inspection aims to assess conditions on the ground, evaluate fire mitigation efforts, and review the impact of haze on local communities. ***