Rain, Hotspots In East Kalimantan Down From 181 To 76 Locations

Illustration of forest fires (ANTARA)

BALIKPAPAN - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station detected a drop in hotspots in East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim) from 181 points on Saturday, February 24 to 76 points on Sunday, February 25. The 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), both at the province and district/city levels so that further action can be taken.

He said 181 points were monitored two days ago spread across five districts, namely Penajam Paser Utara (1), West Kutai (10), East Kutai (67), Kutai Kartanegara (89), and Berau (14) points. Meanwhile, 76 points observed by Sunday (25/2) were spread across four districts, namely West Kutai (1), East Kutai (29), Kutai Kartanegara (42), and Berau (4). In detail, one point in West Kutai Regency is in Damai District with a level of intermediate confidence, four points in Berau spread across three sub-districts, namely Mount Tabur (1), Derawan Island (2), and Sambaliung (1), all of which have an intermediate level of trust.

In East Kutai Regency, 29 hotspots were observed in eight sub-districts, namely Bengalon (9), Kaliorang (1), Kaubun (2), Kongbeng (1), Long Mesengat (5), Muara Ancalong (3), Muara Wahau (5), and Rantau Pulung (3) with intermediate and low confidence levels. In Kutai Kartanegara Regency 42 points were observed spread across seven sub-districts, namely Kembang Janggut (19), Tenggarong Seberang (1), Anggana (1), Kenohan (1), Kota Bangun (1), Muara Kaman (15), and Muara Muntai (13) with low, medium, and high confidence levels.

Even though the number of hotspots has decreased, he still urges all parties to always be vigilant and prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) from occurring, such as not burning in the forest or in the land so that there is no addition or expansion of hot spots.

"Alert needs to be done because a number of areas are still experiencing hot weather in a few consecutive days, so this can cause branches and dried leaves that are prone to forest and land fires when exposed to fire or coal," said Diyan.