The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station is advising all parties to pay attention to the recent forest fire (Karhutla) risk in East Kalimantan (Kalimantan Timur), as the province has seen a large number of high-temperature hotspots in recent days.
Carolina Melita Sibarani, Head of the BMKG Balikpapan Class I Station Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan, and Head of Data and Information, said: “The several days of sustained high temperatures since Eid al-Fitr have led to the appearance of multiple hotspots.”
She pointed out that from 1 a.m. to 12 midnight on March 27, a total of 171 hotspots were recorded in six regencies and cities in the province, including 2 in Balikpapan City, 3 in Bontang City, 10 in Paser Regency, 125 in East Kutai Regency, 20 in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, and 11 in Berau Regency.
BMKG also issued a warning to the public, reminding people not to burn garbage indiscriminately to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. People are also urged not to carelessly discard unextinguished cigarette butts, as embers could ignite dry leaves in forests or farmlands.
In addition, relevant government departments such as the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) have been asked to conduct on-site inspections of detected hotspots. Carolina said, “After BPBD and related units arrive at the scene, they can determine whether a hotspot poses a forest fire risk. If it is deemed high risk, immediate action will be taken.”
She also emphasized that other government departments, such as the Agriculture Bureau, Plantation Bureau, and Fire Department, should issue forest fire prevention tips and advice to farmers and plantation owners, implement control measures, and ensure the safety of the public and the environment.
She pointed out that from 1 a.m. to 12 midnight on March 27, a total of 171 hotspots were recorded in six regencies and cities in the province, including 2 in Balikpapan City, 3 in Bontang City, 10 in Paser Regency, 125 in East Kutai Regency, 20 in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, and 11 in Berau Regency.
BMKG also issued a warning to the public, reminding people not to burn garbage indiscriminately to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. People are also urged not to carelessly discard unextinguished cigarette butts, as embers could ignite dry leaves in forests or farmlands.
In addition, relevant government departments such as the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) have been asked to conduct on-site inspections of detected hotspots. Carolina said, “After BPBD and related units arrive at the scene, they can determine whether a hotspot poses a forest fire risk. If it is deemed high risk, immediate action will be taken.”
She also emphasized that other government departments, such as the Agriculture Bureau, Plantation Bureau, and Fire Department, should issue forest fire prevention tips and advice to farmers and plantation owners, implement control measures, and ensure the safety of the public and the environment.