Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Four out of six priority provinces for forest and land fire (karhutla) control recorded drops in high-confidence thermal hotspots on September 8, 2026, according to monitoring data released by the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut). Reductions were observed in South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Riau, and Jambi. Despite these regional declines, Kemenhut and joint task forces continue to escalate control operations through ground suppression and aerial support, including Weather Modification Technology (OMC) operations that triggered rainfall across parts of West and Central Kalimantan.
Data from Kemenhut’s SiPongi satellite system—sourced from NASA Terra/Aqua, SNPP, and NOAA-20—detected 397 high-confidence hotspots nationwide as of Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9:10 PM WIB. This marks a minor increase of 11 points compared to 386 hotspots recorded on September 7. Across the six priority provinces, high-confidence hotspots were logged as follows:
- South Sumatra: 76 points;
- Central Kalimantan: 63 points;
- West Kalimantan: 12 points;
- Riau: 8 points;
- South Kalimantan: 6 points; and
- Jambi: 3 points.
The figures reflect a positive trend across four priority provinces, with West Kalimantan demonstrating the sharpest reduction, dropping from 31 to 12 hotspots. South Sumatra also declined from 88 to 76 points; however, it continues to hold the highest concentration of high-confidence hotspots among the priority regions and remains a primary operational focus.
Conversely, hotspot increases were recorded in Central Kalimantan (rising from 46 to 63 points) and South Kalimantan (increasing from 4 to 6 points). These increases are guiding the tactical allocation of patrols, ground checks, and ground-to-air firefighting deployments.
The Ministry reiterates that satellite hotspots represent surface temperature anomalies rather than confirmed individual fires, as a single fire event can trigger multiple hotspot readings. Consequently, every satellite detection is verified through physical ground checks and site monitoring.
The implementation of cloud-seeding under OMC operations on September 8 successfully generated rainfall across sections of West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, aiding land rewetting and supporting frontline suppression. In West Kalimantan, high-confidence hotspots dropped significantly to 12 points following the rains. In Central Kalimantan, where hotspots rose to 63, high operational vigilance and suppression efforts are being maintained despite localized precipitation.
Field officers emphasize that fire conditions remain dynamic. While rain increases surface moisture, active fires and subterranean embers—particularly on peatlands—require continuous suppression, rewetting, and cooling to prevent reignition.
Manggala Agni firefighters alongside the Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), BNPB, BMKG, BPBD, local governments, private concessionaires, volunteer communities, and other partners continue ground patrols, direct firefighting, firebreak construction, mopping up, cooling, and monitoring vulnerable sites.
To reinforce ground crews, the government maintains 53 aerial fleet units on standby across the six priority provinces (Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan). Of this fleet, 19 aircraft are designated for air patrols and OMC operations, while 34 aircraft are dedicated to water-bombing. Deployment is adjusted based on meteorology and field urgency to suppress fire spread rapidly.
In parallel, authorities are closely tracking PM2.5-based air quality. Air quality remains varied across the archipelago; while most regions enjoy good to moderate air quality, several areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan register unhealthy to very unhealthy levels, with specific zones in Kalimantan reaching hazardous ratings.
BMKG aviation weather observations on the afternoon of September 8 showed persistent haze affecting visibility across key provincial capitals:
- Pontianak: approximately 3 kilometers, hazy/smoky;
- Jambi: approximately 3 kilometers, hazy/smoky;
- Pekanbaru: approximately 4 kilometers, hazy/smoky;
- Palangka Raya: approximately 5 kilometers, hazy/smoky;
- Palembang: approximately 5 kilometers, hazy/smoky; and
- Banjarmasin: approximately 8 kilometers, cloudy.
Despite hotspot drops, officials warn that haze impacts remain a concern. While OMC-induced rain is expected to improve air quality and moisture levels gradually, visibility and atmospheric dynamics are continually monitored to guide integrated operations. (*)
