TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported an increase in wildfire hotspots in three provinces in Indonesia's Kalimantan region on Monday, with West Kalimantan recording the sharpest rise.
BNPB Acting Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Berton SP Panjaitan said the number of hotspots had increased in West Kalimantan, while the figures in Central and South Kalimantan had declined.
“We can see that the number of hotspots in West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan has changed. The increase in West Kalimantan is significant, while Central and South Kalimantan have seen relatively lower numbers,” Berton said in Jakarta on Monday, August 31.
The agency also reported reduced visibility in the three provinces, with visibility ranging from one to two kilometers in some areas.
In three provinces on Sumatra Island, namely Riau, South Sumatra and Jambi, the overall number of hotspots declined.
South Sumatra, however, recorded an increase of 209 hotspots, bringing the total to 1,013.
“In Riau and Jambi, the number of hotspots has decreased significantly. Visibility ranges from four to five kilometers in Riau and South Sumatra, while it is around seven kilometers in Jambi,” Berton said.
BNPB Warns of Dense Smoke in Kalimantan
Berton said the situation was also reflected in air quality monitored through the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU), provided by the Environment Ministry.
He urged residents to use the ministry's official ISPU service to monitor air quality down to the regency and city levels.
“People can access it so that preventive measures can be taken if air quality reaches unhealthy or hazardous levels,” he said.
BNPB is also monitoring the movement of pollutants based on forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).
Berton said pollutant concentrations in several parts of Kalimantan, particularly West, Central and South Kalimantan, were expected to remain relatively high on Monday, August 31, and Tuesday, September 1.
“In West, Central and South Kalimantan, the concentration is relatively very high. This indicates that the smoke is very thick in these areas,” he said.
Pollutants were also detected in several parts of Sumatra, including Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra. Meanwhile, pollutant concentrations in Papua and Java were expected to decline.
Berton urged residents to monitor developments in air quality and take precautions if conditions reach unhealthy or hazardous levels.
Hotspot and Fire Spot Figures
As of Monday, August 31, BNPB recorded 7,377 hotspots in West Kalimantan, an increase of 3,553 from the previous figure. The province also recorded 104 fire spots, up 88, with visibility below one kilometer.
Central Kalimantan recorded 5,244 hotspots, down 147, and 72 fire spots, up 16. Visibility was below one kilometer.
In South Kalimantan, the number of hotspots reached 504, down 405, while the number of fire spots rose by three to 55. Visibility was below two kilometers.
In Riau, BNPB recorded 62 hotspots, down 202, and 12 fire spots, down two. Visibility ranged from four to five kilometers.
South Sumatra recorded 1,013 hotspots, up 209, and 11 fire spots, down seven. Visibility was below five kilometers.
Meanwhile, Jambi recorded 49 hotspots, down 86, and four fire spots, with visibility ranging from six to seven kilometers.
