TOPSHOT - A photo shows a forest fire in Louchats, south-western France, on July 17, 2022. (Photo by THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP) (Photo by THIBAUD MORITZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Efforts to combat wildfires are intensifying in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, in response to a concerning increase in hotspots identified by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
On Sunday, BMKG reported 84 hotspots across Bontang City and various districts, including Paser, Kutai Barat, Kutai Timur, and Kutai Kartanegara. This marked a notable rise from the previous day’s count, according to Diyan Novrida, BMKG’s Coordinator for Data and Information at the Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Station.
Friday saw 35 hotspots in Kutai Barat, 13 in Kutai Timur, and 11 in Kutai Kartanegara, all with a moderate confidence level for potential wildfires. Continuing the trend on Saturday, 38 hotspots were observed in Kutai Timur, 23 in Kutai Kartanegara, 18 in Kutai Barat, four in Paser, and one in Bontang.
Authorities have swiftly alerted relevant agencies at provincial and regional levels, including the Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and firefighters, to ensure prompt responses.
With persistently dry and hot weather in parts of East Kalimantan, Novrida emphasizes caution among locals, advising against activities like slash-and-burn land clearing.
Reports from ANTARA highlight the longstanding issue of thick smoke from wildfires affecting parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, posing significant health and economic risks. Moreover, this smog extends beyond borders, impacting neighboring countries and posing challenges for aviation activities.
To mitigate wildfire risks, the government maintains a strict ban on slash-and-burn practices. However, despite these measures, some communities persist in employing this method for agriculture, highlighting the ongoing challenge of enforcement.
