The dry season has once again struck Central Kalimantan, the largest province in Indonesia with an area of 15.3 million hectares. Of this area, more than 4.6 million hectares consist of peatlands. Amid hot weather conditions, the threat of forest and land fires (karhutla) frequently occurs. Furthermore, this year the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the peak of the El Nino phenomenon will occur between August and September 2026.
During hot weather, karhutla is more likely to happen. This situation is exacerbated by strong winds that can cause fires to spread and enlarge. According to data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency and Fire Department (BPBPK), as of August 22, 2026, the burned area reached 4,729.25 hectares from 1,686 incidents.
When hotspots appear and signs of smoke plumes rise high, officers and volunteers immediately proceed to the location to approach the burning fire spots. In the fire-fighting process, the lives of the personnel are at risk as they face various obstacles that must be overcome.
Aerial photos show smoke rising high from forest and land fires in Tumbang Nusa Village, Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan
Members of the forest and land fire task force (karhutla) hold a coordination meeting and develop strategies before tackling the fires at the Fire Alert Post at the BPBD office in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
They must fight roaring flames amid dense smoke, clear shrubs to open a path to the fire’s head. Often, due to limited water sources for extinguishing, personnel are forced to create new bore wells.
The struggle against karhutla is never easy. Officers frequently face various challenges in the field. Therefore, handling karhutla requires substantial manpower, time, equipment, strategy, and proper coordination to ensure the extinguishing process can be conducted effectively and under control.
When fires occur on peatlands, the challenges for personnel become even greater. The fire not only burns surface land but also spreads and persists in the peat layers. The embers stored in the peat soil are difficult to detect and extinguish, causing fires to reignite even after the surface appears to have been successfully put out. In certain locations, containment efforts are carried out by spraying water on shrubs to prevent and limit the movement of fire so it does not spread further. Often they must battle the fire until late at night.
Various information is displayed at the Fire Alert Post at the BPBD office in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
TNI members carry hoses while extinguishing fires burning peatland in Bukit Tunggal Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
As a preparedness measure against the increasing potential of karhutla, the Head of BPBPK Ahmad Toyib revealed that several ground and air personnel have been deployed to manage the fires.
"All personnel, including air task forces, ground task forces, and operation support teams, are optimally deployed according to their duties and functions. Our focus is to ensure that every fire point can be detected and handled as quickly as possible so it does not develop into a more extensive fire," he said.
A total of 10,700 combined personnel consisting of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni, Forestry Service, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Police, and volunteers have been mobilized. In karhutla mitigation, ground routes serve as the spearhead to reach fire points because they can spray water directly onto the fire heads.
Officers attempt to extinguish peatland fires in Petuk Katimpun Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Firefighters attempt to extinguish land fires in Panarung Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
To support ground teams in extinguishing fires, air support is also provided by deploying four water bombing helicopters assigned to drop water on burning locations and areas difficult for ground personnel to access. Meanwhile, one Cessna aircraft is used for weather modification operations by dispersing sodium chloride (NaCl) to increase the chances of rain. Another helicopter is used to conduct patrols to detect fire points.
This collaboration of various parties certainly consumes a lot of time, energy, and costs. However, all efforts continue to be made to extinguish the fire, eliminate the smoke, and restore community life without the threat of karhutla.
A water bombing helicopter conducts forest and land fire suppression in Petuk Katimpun Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Officers from the Central Kalimantan Forestry Service attempt to extinguish a fire in Menteng Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Photo and text: Auliya Rahman
Officers from the Central Kalimantan Forestry Service extinguish land fires in Panarung Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Volunteers coil water hoses during land fire suppression in Panarung Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Firefighters don protective gear before extinguishing land fires in Panarung Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Several volunteer firefighters conduct a flag ceremony at the peat forest and land fire site in Petuk Katimpun Subdistrict, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
Editor: Akbar Nugroho Gumay
The caption is automatically translated by application. Click here for the Bahasa Indonesia version.
