Rainy Season, 125 Hotspots Still Occur In East Kalimantan

Illustration of forest fires (ANTARA)

BALIKPAPAN - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station in the detection carried out found as many as 125 hot spots spread across East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Province, so related parties were advised to take action. "A total of 125 hotspots were monitored throughout Monday from 01.00 to 24.00 WITA," said the Coordinator of Data and Information at Class I Station Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan BMKG Balikpapan Diyan Novrida, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 20. Information on the distribution of hotspots has been conveyed to related parties, such as the Fire Rescue and Extinguishing Service, Manggala Agni, and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) at both the provincial and district/city levels so that further action can be taken. This number of hot spots has increased compared to the previous day (Sunday, February 18) which was monitored 24 points. Given the number of hot spots has increased, then he appealed to all parties to always be vigilant and prevent forest and land fires (karhutla), such as not burning in the forest or land.

"Versibility needs to be done because a number of areas are still experiencing hot weather for several consecutive days, so this can cause branches and dried leaves that are prone to forest and land fires when exposed to small fires and coal," he said. He said as many as 24 hot spots detected on Sunday (18/2) were only in one district, namely East Kutai Regency which was spread across four sub-districts, namely Sangatta Utara three points, Bengalon (16 points), Kaubun (1), and Rantau Pulung District (4). Meanwhile, 125 points were observed yesterday spread over five areas namely Bontang City one point, West Kutai Regency (12), East Kutai (70), Kutai Kartanegara (42), and Berau Regency (1). The details are in Bontang one point at South Bontang Velocity, in Berau one point located in Gunung Tabur District.

West Kutai Regency, which was monitored at 12 points, was spread over five sub-districts namely Bongan (4), Damai (1), Dilangputi (1), Jempang (1), Siluq Ngurai (5). East Kutai Regency which was observed at 70 points, spread over 10 sub-districts namely Bengalon (33), Busang (1), Kaubun (2), Kongbeng (7), Muara Ancalong (4), Muara Wahau (7), Rantau Pulung (9), Sangatta Utara (3), and Telen District (4). "The observed Kutai Kartanegara Regency 42 points spread over eight sub-districts namely Kembang Janggut (28), Marangkayu (4), Muara Badak (1), Muara Kaman (4), Loa Janan (1), Samboja (2), Tabang (1), and Tenggarong Seberang District (1) points," he said.