Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has intensified efforts to control forest and land fires, particularly in South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan, as satellite monitoring detected a rise in high-confidence hotspots across six priority provinces.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni inspected firefighting operations at Liang Anggang Protected Forest in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Oct. 12, alongside South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin and other officials. He called for continued vigilance despite signs that fire activity in the province was becoming more manageable.
Data from the ministry’s SiPongi early warning system recorded 1,085 high-confidence hotspots nationwide as of 9 p.m. on Oct. 12, based on observations from NASA’s Terra/Aqua, Suomi NPP and NOAA-20 satellites.
Central Kalimantan recorded 227 hotspots, up from 74 the previous day, while South Sumatra registered 147, compared with 121. South Kalimantan recorded 113, up from 15, and West Kalimantan reported 31, compared with 24. Jambi recorded 24, up from four, while Riau reported no hotspots.
The six priority provinces recorded a combined 542 high-confidence hotspots, an increase of 304 from the previous day’s total of 238.
During his inspection in South Kalimantan, Raja Juli emphasized that improving conditions should not lead authorities to lower their guard. Information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicated that more consistent natural rainfall in the province was not expected until around mid-November.
Regional governments, the military, police, Manggala Agni firefighting teams, volunteers and other personnel were therefore instructed to maintain operational readiness.
The minister highlighted four key elements of fire control: aerial operations, ground firefighting, community participation in preventing land burning, and law enforcement against those responsible for fires.
At Liang Anggang Protected Forest, ground teams are working alongside aerial operations to extinguish fires and conduct patrols. Crews are also wetting land through canals to maintain moisture and prevent remaining embers from reigniting.
The ministry said the same sustained approach was being strengthened in South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan, with operations adjusted to hotspot developments and conditions on the ground.
Peatlands remain a particular concern because fires can persist and spread beneath the surface even after visible flames have disappeared. In peat areas of South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan, crews are continuing to wet and cool affected locations until they are confirmed safe.
Authorities are also monitoring air quality using concentrations of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. While some parts of Indonesia recorded good to moderate air quality, several areas of Sumatra and Kalimantan experienced unhealthy to very unhealthy conditions, with hazardous levels reported at certain locations.
The ministry urged residents in affected areas to follow air-quality updates and local government advice. If pollution levels worsen, people should reduce outdoor activities and wear masks when going outside. Children, pregnant women, older people and those with respiratory conditions or chronic illnesses were advised to take particular care.
Wildlife rescue is another part of the response. Residents who encounter injured or fire-affected wild animals, animals trapped by fires or wildlife entering residential areas should not attempt to capture or evacuate them independently. Instead, they should keep their distance, record the animal’s location and condition if possible, and report the incident to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) or the nearest forestry officer.
The ministry reiterated its call for communities and businesses not to clear or prepare land by burning. Residents who spot smoke, fires, illegal burning or wildlife in distress are urged to report incidents promptly. (*)
