Forest and land fires impact Kalimantan provinces in Indonesia

Forest and land fires (karhutla) continue to impact the Indonesian provinces of Central and South Kalimantan during a period of strong El Niño conditions.

In Central Kalimantan, official data from the SIPONGI system and the Ministry of Forestry reported 7,634.46 hectares burned as of August 1, 2026, marking the lowest level in three decades. However, residents in Palangka Raya have faced evacuations due to thick smoke, and fires have reappeared in areas previously deemed controlled. Following a visit by President Prabowo Subianto on August 22, emphasis has been placed on continuous monitoring and the provision of firefighting equipment such as helicopters and water pumps.

In South Kalimantan, data from the BPBD and NASA satellite monitoring recorded 2,083 fire incidents covering 10,095.14 hectares as of August 28, 2026. Banjarbaru reported the highest number of incidents, while Banjar Regency saw the largest area affected. To combat the fires, particularly in difficult peatland areas where embers remain underground, the provincial government is implementing a five-part strategy. This includes land wetting, improving water availability, optimizing pumps, and conducting post-fire patrols to prevent reignition.