Barito Utara strengthens forest‑fire mitigation ahead of 2026 peak risk

The government of Barito Utara Regency in Central Kalimantan announced expanded mitigation and preparedness measures for forest and land fires (karhutla). Deputy Regent Felix Soenadi Y. Tingan said the regency will coordinate closely with the national disaster agency (BNPB) and the provincial administration, aligning cross‑sector actions and speeding emergency response on the ground.

During the coordination meeting, BNPB chief Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto reported 1,345 disaster events nationwide as of 30 July 2026, 99.1 % of which were hydrometeorological, and warned that the peak risk period will be August‑September 2026 across high‑risk areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran noted a rise in fire hotspots and haze in July, with 3,096.52 ha burned, and confirmed the province’s emergency status for karhutla effective 26 May to 31 October 2026.