East Kotawaringin Wildfires Spread as BPBD Records 268 Hotspots
- 07 Agt 2026 13:19 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- East Kotawaringin Regency in Central Kalimantan recorded 268 high-confidence hotspots as forest and land fires continued to spread during the dry season.
- The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is conducting water bombing operations as ground firefighting teams have become overwhelmed.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Forest and land fires in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, have continued to spread during the dry season. The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) recorded 268 hotspots with a high confidence level.
Head of the East Kotawaringin BPBD, Multazam, said the situation had forced personnel to work harder. Aerial firefighting operations have continued as ground-based efforts are becoming overwhelmed.
“There were 268 hotspots with a high confidence level. Water bombing operations by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) are continuing because ground-based firefighting efforts are already overwhelmed,” he said in Jakarta on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Multazam explained that weather modification operations had been carried out several days earlier. However, the efforts have now been suspended because there is no potential for rain-bearing clouds.
He said the fires were becoming increasingly difficult to control due to strong winds and extremely dry land conditions. Limited water sources and the remote locations of the fires have also complicated firefighting efforts.
The BPBD said most of the fires had been triggered by land-clearing activities during the dry season. The areas burned now generally exceed three hectares.
“The winds are quite strong, and the land is extremely dry. Water sources are also limited, allowing the fires to spread quickly,” he said.
In addition to firefighting, the BPBD continues to conduct ground and aerial patrols in fire-prone areas. Local communities are also being involved through public education and preventive measures implemented from the beginning of the dry season.
Smoke from the fires has begun to disrupt people’s activities, particularly land transportation. In the morning, visibility in some areas was limited to approximately 200 to 300 meters.
In the agricultural sector, the Agriculture Agency has postponed the third planting season until the rainy season arrives. The measure is intended to reduce the risk of crop failure caused by drought.
“Let us protect nature, and nature will protect us. We must not damage the environment by clearing land with fire,” said Multazam. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)
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