Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia recorded a sharp decline in high-confidence forest and land fire hotspots on Thursday, but the Forestry Ministry is maintaining intensified firefighting operations as South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan continue to report the highest numbers among six priority provinces.
Data from the ministry’s SiPongi early detection system showed 387 high-confidence hotspots nationwide as of 9:10 p.m. on Oct. 8, down by 789 from 1,176 recorded a day earlier. The monitoring relied on data from NASA’s Terra/Aqua, SNPP and NOAA-20 satellites.
South Sumatra recorded 130 hotspots, down from 224, while Central Kalimantan reported 86, compared with 225 the previous day. South Kalimantan was the only priority province to record an increase, rising to 37 hotspots from 31.
West Kalimantan registered 12 hotspots, down from 47, while Jambi recorded three, compared with 16 previously. Riau reported none on both days.
Across the six priority provinces, the combined number of high-confidence hotspots fell to 268 from 543, indicating progress in fire prevention and suppression efforts. However, the ministry warned that changing weather and land conditions could quickly reverse the trend.
The ministry stressed that satellite-detected hotspots indicate surface temperature anomalies and do not necessarily represent individual fires or the total area burned. Each detection must be verified through ground checks to establish actual conditions and determine the appropriate response.
Firefighting Operations Remain Intensified
The government continues to coordinate ground and aerial operations involving the ministry’s Manggala Agni fire crews, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the military, police, meteorological authorities, regional governments, local communities and private-sector stakeholders.
Authorities have deployed 61 aerial units, including 17 assigned to patrols and weather modification operations and 44 for water-bombing missions.
Ground teams are conducting patrols, verifying hotspots, suppressing flames, containing fire spread and carrying out wetting, mop-up and cooling operations. Particular attention is being paid to peatlands, where underground embers can persist and spread even after surface flames have disappeared.
The ministry also continues to monitor air quality through concentrations of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. Although some areas have recorded good to moderate conditions, parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan remain affected by unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality. Some areas of Kalimantan have also reported hazardous conditions.
Residents in affected areas are advised to follow official air-quality updates, reduce outdoor activities when pollution worsens and wear masks when going outside. Children, pregnant women, older people and those with respiratory conditions or chronic illnesses require particular attention.
Wildlife Rescue Efforts Continue in Kalimantan
Alongside firefighting, the ministry is addressing the impact of fires and habitat disruption on wildlife. At least 272 individual animals across four Kalimantan provinces have received assistance through rescue, relocation, rehabilitation or guided movement to safer habitats.
South Kalimantan accounted for 105 animals, followed by West Kalimantan with 71, Central Kalimantan with 48 and East Kalimantan with 48.
In West Kalimantan, the animals treated included 46 orangutans, 12 pangolins, five slow lorises, four leopard cats, two proboscis monkeys, one civet and one silvered langur. Depending on their condition, the animals received evacuation, examination, treatment or transfer to rehabilitation facilities and safer habitats.
The ministry urged residents not to attempt to handle or evacuate distressed wild animals themselves. Instead, they should maintain a safe distance, record the animal’s location and condition if possible, and contact the nearest Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) or forestry officer.
Public Urged to Prevent Further Fires
The ministry reiterated its call for communities and businesses to avoid clearing or opening land by burning. It said the decline in hotspots must be sustained through early detection, regular patrols, rapid response and public participation.
Residents who encounter smoke, fires, land-burning activities or wildlife requiring assistance can contact the Forestry Ministry’s wildfire response post at 021-5704618, via WhatsApp at +62 8131-00-35000, or by email at posko.karhutla@kehutanan.go.id.
The ministry said continued vigilance and coordinated action remain essential to protect forests, wildlife and public health as Indonesia’s fire situation continues to evolve. (*)
