KUCHING, Sept 10 2026: Indonesian Consul General in Kuching Dr Abdullah Zulkifli revealed that based on the latest forest and land fire management update reported by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), approximately 77,080.79 hectares of land indicated as burned had been successfully extinguished, while 1,742.16 hectares remained under firefighting operations.
Caption: The hotspots in Indonesia indicating hundreds of forest and land fires
He said the update was reported as of 12.20pm local time on September 10.
Abdullahs said the Indonesian government continues to monitor and respond to fire locations that remain active in the field.
“Based on monitoring by the Ministry of Forestry through the SiPongi system, 395 hotspots were detected nationwide as of September 9 2026 at 9:04 local time.
“This figure represents a slight decrease from 397 hotspots recorded on September 8, 2026 at the same time.
“The Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) indicated that several regencies and municipalities, particularly in Kalimantan, continued to experience poor air quality.
“As of September 10, East Kotawaringin Regency recorded an ISPU of 1,119 (PM10), followed by Kubu Raya Regency at 479 (PM10), Gunung Mas Regency at 407 (PM2.5), Katingan Regency at 381 (PM10), South Barito Regency at 334 (PM2.5), and Pontianak City at 310 (PM2.5).
‘These areas remained in the “Hazardous” category,” Abdullahs said, adding that air quality in other areas, including parts of Sumatra, varied from “Good” to “Very Unhealthy”.
“Visibility conditions may also change rapidly depending on fire activity, rainfall, and wind direction,” he explained.
He assured that his government is strengthening its efforts to address forest and land fires in several parts of the republic, particularly in West Kalimantan, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau, and Jambi.
He said these efforts include intensified firefighting operations, field monitoring, and law enforcement measures against parties suspected of being responsible for forest and land fires.
“In implementing these operations, the Indonesian government has deployed joint personnel, along with various resources, to accelerate fire response efforts.
“Activities include direct firefighting, hotspot and field condition monitoring, as well as coordination among Manggala Agni of Ministry of Forestry, Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI), Indonesian National Police (Polri), National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), local governments, Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD), local communities, and other relevant stakeholders.
“These efforts include direct firefighting, fire containment, patrols, ground checks, mopping-up, cooling operations, and monitoring of areas at risk of re-ignition. In addition to ground operations, 55 aerial assets have been deployed to support forest and land fire management in the six priority provinces.
“Of these, 19 aircraft are being used for aerial patrols and to support weather modification operations, while 34 aircraft are being deployed for water-bombing operations.
“The Indonesian government is also taking law enforcement measures against parties proven to have carried out burning or caused forest and land fires.
“As of September 7, 2026, the Indonesian National Police reported that it had received 200 police reports related to forest and land fires, designated 138 individuals as suspects, and initiated legal proceedings involving eight corporations allegedly linked to forest and land fire incidents.
“Law enforcement proceedings are carried out based on the results of investigations and evidence in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
“The Indonesian government has also strengthened preventive measures through the issuance of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 11 of 2026 on strengthening the enforcement of the prohibition on land clearing through burning and control of forest and land fires.
“The instruction directs ministries/agencies, the TNI, Polri, and local governments to take coordinated measures to prevent hotspots and fires, while ensuring that there are no overlapping policies or permits that could legitimize land burning,” he said.
Dr Abdullah also stressed that concession and permit holders are also required to strengthen fire prevention measures, including maintaining their areas and buffer zones extending up to 5 km, as well as providing emergency response teams and heavy equipment, such as excavators.
He added the instruction continues to recognize certain exceptions based on local wisdom and traditional practices, but their implementation is subject to strict limitations.
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