73 Hotspots Detected in South Kalimantan, 14 Points Located in PBPH Area

Illustration of forest fire prone areas (Photo: BNPB)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry detected 73 hotspots in South Kalimantan at the peak of the dry season. A total of 14 points of which are within the area of the Forest Utilization Permit (PBPH), so that the permit holder is asked to immediately go to the field to determine whether or not there is a fire.

The findings are based on monitoring the Forest and Land Fire Control Information System (SIPONGI) using the NASA-NOAA20 satellite on August 12, 2026. All hotspots detected were at medium confidence level.

Of the 14 hotspots located in the PBPH area, six points were detected in the working area of PT Inhutani I Pelaihari Unit, six points in PT Dwima Intiga, one point in PT Hutan Rindang Banua, and one point in PT Prima Multibuana.

This information has been forwarded to each PBPH holder for checking and verifying conditions in the field. This step is important because the hotspot does not necessarily mean that a fire has occurred.

Head of the Sustainable Forest Management Office (BPHL) Region XI Banjarbaru, Wahyu Nurhidayat, said the hotspot was one of the early warning instruments to detect the potential for forest fires.

"Every hot spot identified in the PBPH work area needs to be immediately verified in the field. Information on hotspots is part of the early warning system so that the potential for fires can be known and handled from the early stages," Wahyu said in a statement, Sunday, August 16.

Wahyu emphasized that the temperature anomalies read by the satellite still had to be proven through direct inspection. Therefore, the holder of the PBPH should not rely solely on monitoring data without checking.

"The principle is, don't wait for the fire to get bigger. When there is information about hotspots in or around the work area, immediately check. If there are indications of a fire, take initial action and coordinate with the parties concerned in accordance with the provisions," he said.

BPHL Region XI Banjarbaru then encouraged PBPH holders to strengthen patrols, ensure the readiness of personnel as well as facilities and infrastructure for controlling karhutla. Response to each hotspot information is also requested to be carried out as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Forestry pays attention to the increased risk of forest fires during the dry season. Hotspot monitoring is used as an initial step to find potential threats before they develop into wider fires.

This policy is in line with the directions of the President and Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni who emphasized strengthening forest protection through the use of data and collaboration. Prevention of forest fires is not only carried out when the fire has appeared, but starts from the ability to detect vulnerable points and ensure that the information is immediately followed up.

BPHL Region XI Banjarbaru periodically monitors hotspots in the PBPH area and conveys the results to the permit holder. In addition to field verification, coordination between the area managers is also encouraged if the hot spot is in an area that has spatial relevance.

With this pattern, satellite data becomes the gateway for on-site responses. The detected hot spots must immediately be ascertained, so that temperature anomalies can be distinguished from fire incidents and handling can be carried out before the fire spreads.