West Kalimantan Grapples with 30 Active Forest Fire Hotspots

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) of Indonesia has reported that 30 hotspots of forest and land fires (karhutla) are still active in West Kalimantan. According to the agency's spokesperson, the air quality in the fire areas is generally at a dangerous level, with visibility reduced to less than 1 kilometer. "In West Kalimantan, we are monitoring 30 hotspots with generally dangerous air quality, and visibility below 1 kilometer," said Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Berton SP Panjaitan, in a press conference on Tuesday (1/9). He stated that the karhutla situation in West Kalimantan still requires serious attention. SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT BNPB continues to carry out firefighting and suppression operations. However, the task force faces several challenges in its handling efforts. "Aerial and ground operations are being carried out in an integrated manner. Nevertheless, the operations are still facing obstacles such as low visibility, peatlands that are difficult to extinguish, and limitations in water sources," he continued. Several law enforcement measures are also being implemented in West Kalimantan by the Environment Agency (DLH) and related institutions. These measures include monitoring corporate compliance, sealing burnt land areas, imposing administrative sanctions, and evaluating and threatening to revoke business permits for those responsible for the fires. BNPB reported that as of Monday (31/8), there were 7,377 hotspots and 72 fires in West Kalimantan. This figure represents a significant increase from previous BNPB reports. These karhutla are also impacting air quality in West Kalimantan. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that the air quality in Kubu Raya Regency and Mempawah Regency reached dangerous or black categories as of Tuesday (1/9) at 10:00 AM Western Indonesian Time. Source: CNN Indonesia