BNPB Data Shows Widespread Fire Hotspots in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Forest and land fire hotspots remain in the thousands across several priority provinces. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has recorded 2,610 hotspots in West Kalimantan, 2,110 in Central Kalimantan, 1,438 in South Sumatra, 817 in South Kalimantan, 225 in Riau, and 134 in Jambi.

BNPB is intensifying firefighting operations on the ground and from the air. As of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, a total of 4.6 million liters of water had been used for water‑bombing operations.

Acting Head of BNPB’s Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Berton SP Panjaitan, said ground operations remain the primary method for handling forest and land fires. Personnel conduct ground checks, firefighting, and cooling‑down procedures at affected locations.

“These actions are being carried out in all locations -- West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan -- including ground checks, firefighting, and cooling,” Berton said in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Aerial operations involve water bombing to help extinguish fires from the air. However, these efforts face significant challenges because much of the burning land consists of peat.

“We have repeatedly highlighted the challenges posed by peat characteristics, which make the fires difficult to manage. Burning peat requires large amounts of water, yet current water sources have dwindled and are located far from several hotspots,” Berton said.

To address limited water availability, BNPB is drilling boreholes and opening canals to bring water closer to fire locations.

These measures are being implemented to support firefighting efforts amid shrinking water supplies in several regions. Weather and climate factors also pose challenges for aerial operations, with limited visibility hindering personnel movements and water‑bombing flights.

BNPB is also conducting weather modification operations to help manage forest and land fires. Berton said rain had fallen in several regencies in West Kalimantan since Tuesday, an outcome attributed to the weather modification efforts.

BNPB urges residents in affected areas to help prevent the spread of fires by refraining from open burning and avoiding the careless disposal of trash and cigarette butts. ***