Rainy Season, 95 Hotspots Still Detected In East Kalimantan

Illustration of forest fires (ANTARA)

BALIKPAPAN - Despite the rainy season, the Balikpapan Station's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) detected 95 hotspots spread across a number of locations in East Kalimantan (Kaltim).

"A total of 95 hotspots were monitored throughout Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 01.00 to 24.00 WITA," said the Coordinator for Data and Information at Class I Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan BMKG Balikpapan, Diyan Novrida, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, January 12.

Information on the distribution of hotspots has been conveyed to related parties, including the provincial and district levels Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) so that further action can be taken.

He said that currently it is indeed the rainy season, but there are still a number of areas where there is no rain in a few days that can cause leaves and twigs in the forest and dry land, making it flammable.

For this reason, he appealed to all parties to remain vigilant and jointly prevent additional forest and land fires (karhutla) from occurring, such as not burning in the forest or land.

The day before, Wednesday (10/1) BMKG Balikpapan also detected 28 hotspots spread across four districts, namely West Kutai Regency at one point, East Kutai (21), Kutai Kartanegara (5), and Berau (1), all of which have a middle level of trust.

Meanwhile, 95 hotspots detected yesterday were spread across three districts, namely East Kutai (78), Kutai Kartanegara (14), and Berau Regency (3) hotspots with an average level of medium confidence.

Details of these 95 points are 78 points located in East Kutai spread across eight sub-districts, namely Bengalon District 22 points, Busang (6), Kaubun (1), Kongbeng (7), Muara Wahau (10), Rantau Pulung (13), Telen (18), and Teluk Pandan District (1).

In Kutai Kartanegara Regency, there are 14 points spread across seven sub-districts, namely Kembang Janggut District (1), Kenohan (2), Loa Kulu (4), Marangkayu (1), Muara Kaman (2), Muara Wis (1), and Sebulu District (3) points.

"In Berau Regency, there are three points, spread over two sub-districts, namely in Setah Dua District and Talisingan District one point," said Diyan.

He appealed to all elements of society to help prevent forest and land fires, because there are still many leaves and dry branches on flammable land.

"Preventions that can be done by the community, among others, by not throwing cigarette butts carelessly, not burning when clearing or clearing land, because dry leaves and branches are prone to causing wider fires," he said.