BPBD Says There Have Been 1,184 Hotspots In West Kalimantan Since September 2

Photo Illustration: Antara

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Kalimantan (Kalbar) noted that the latest data on the distribution of hotspots in the province on September 2, 2023, reached 1,184 points.

"The existing hotspot detection uses VIIRS and MODIS sensors. Sensor observations are carried out during the day and night," said Head of the West Kalimantan BPBD Information Task Force Daniel, Antara, Sunday, September 3.

On August 22, 2023 due to rain, hotspots in West Kalimantan had fallen, only 180 points. However, currently, it has increased again to 1,184 points.

"The highest hotspots as of September 2, 2023 in Ketapang Regency are 286 points. The lowest is in Pontianak City, which currently has no hotspots," he said.

His party continues to optimize the implementation of patrols both on land and air to prevent and deal with forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Kalimantan.

"To optimize the implementation of ground patrols, we involve all elements of related agencies, including the TNI/Polri, the community, and others, to monitor areas that are potentially prone to forest and land fires. Air patrols are controlled by the Air Task Force," he explained.

Previously, the Head of the West Kalimantan Province Plantation and Livestock Service, Heronimus Hero, said that his party was continuing to try to increase the mitigation of land and plantation fires by supervising permits for plantation businesses.

"Efforts to increase the mitigation of land and plantation fires with business permits, to dispel issues raised regarding forest and land fires, so that they can be clarified," he said.

He hopes the company ensures that no action is related to any land and plantation fires. For this reason, they must complete the conditional administration according to the provisions and infrastructure.

This is based on Government Regulation (PP) Number 5 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing for Plantation Subsectors.

"Regencies have the responsibility of coaching through plantation indexes or other instruments that can assess the condition of the company," he said.