BMKG Detects 8 New Hotspots In East Kalimantan Again

Illustration of forest and land fires (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station recently detected eight hot spots spread across two districts/cities in East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim). The hotspots were monitored throughout Thursday from 01.00 to 24.00 WITA," said the Coordinator of Data and Information at Class I Meteorological Station Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman-Sepinggan Balikpapan Diyan Novrida in Balikpapan, Friday 22 September. Further explained, that hotspots are indicators of forest or land fires (karhutla) detected from a location with relatively high temperatures compared to the surrounding temperatures. He also invited all levels of society to take care of each other and be vigilant. "This includes actions such as not littering cigarette butts and avoiding burning while managing the land in order to prevent forest and land," he continued. Information regarding the spread of these eight hotspots has been given to the authorities in their respective working areas, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), both at the provincial and district/city levels, to get further treatment. Of the eight hotspots detected, the two affected districts/cities are Balikpapan City and East Kutai Regency. In Balikpapan, there are four monitored locations, all located in Balikpapan Kota District, with intermediate confidence levels. Meanwhile, in East Kutai Regency, four hotspots were detected, spread over two sub-districts, namely Bengalon Districts that have one point with a high confidence level, and Muara Ancalong District which has three points with different confidence levels, namely low and medium.

Diyan also emphasized the importance of preventive measures so that these hotspots do not spread or increase.

"I urge all parties not to burn carelessly, given the large number of dry leaves and twigs that are prone to fire even if they are hit by a small amount of coal or fire," he said. This prevention effort is the key to preserving the environment and preventing forest and land fires in East Kalimantan.