Forest and Land Fires Spread in Central Kalimantan
Forest and land fires (karhutla) have once again struck the Central Kalimantan region. As of August 30, 2026, the recorded area burned has reached 6,358.71 hectares. This situation has become a serious concern for the local government and the local community due to its impact on the environment.
These fires are primarily occurring in peatland areas, which are highly flammable during the dry season. Peatlands are characterized by their large carbon storage, making fires in these areas difficult to extinguish and often resulting in thick haze.
Currently, authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation into the causes of the fires. There are suspicions that some of the land was intentionally burned for the purpose of clearing new land. This practice is a serious violation of the law as it endangers the ecosystem and the health of local residents.
Firefighting teams from various agencies continue to work on extinguishing the fires in the field. They face significant challenges, such as difficult access to locations and limited water availability around the burning peatland areas.
The government urges the public not to burn land indiscriminately. In addition to damaging the environment, those who burn land can be subject to severe legal sanctions in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations in Indonesia.