National Karhutla Hotspots Dropped to 567 Points, Ministry of Forestry Alerted 53 Air Fleets

JAKARTA, GARISBUMI.com – The number of Hotspots or hot spots with a high level of confidence in Indonesia fell to 567 points on Saturday, September 12 2026. This figure was reduced by 121 points compared to the previous day which reached 688 points.

Even though the number nationally has decreased, an increase in hot spots occurred in West Kalimantan (Kalbar) and South Sumatra (Sumsel). This condition has prompted the Ministry of Forestry to strengthen patrols, field inspections and firefighting operations.

Control of forest and land fires or forest and land fires is carried out through land operations, water bombing, air patrols and Weather Modification Operations (OMC).

Based on data from the Ministry of Forestry's Forest and Forestry Monitoring System or SiPongi, monitoring using the NASA Terra/Aqua, SNPP and NOAA-20 satellites was carried out until Saturday at 21.04 WIB.

In the six priority provinces for controlling forest and land fires, Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) still recorded the highest number of high confidence Hotspots, namely 197 points. The number fell by 74 points compared to the previous day which reached 271 points.

West Kalimantan (Kalbar) recorded an increase from 51 to 91 points. A sharper increase occurred in South Sumatra (Sumsel), from 11 to 62 points.

Meanwhile, the number of hot spots in South Kalimantan fell from 47 to seven. Riau and Jambi did not record Hotspots with a high level of confidence in the latest monitoring.

Hotspots Are Not Necessarily Indicative of Fire

The Ministry of Forestry reminds that Hotspots are surface temperature anomalies detected by satellites. Its appearance does not always indicate a single fire incident.

One fire event can be detected as multiple hot spots. Therefore, officers must check every indication through ground checks or direct checks in the field.

The development of forest and land fires can also change quickly because it is influenced by weather, wind, humidity and the condition of flammable materials.

Manggala Agni together with the TNI, Polri, BNPB, BMKG, BPBD, local government, community, business world and other elements continue to carry out patrols and field checks.

Officers also carried out ground extinguishing, blocking the spread of fire, mopping up and cooling to prevent the fire from re-emerging.

West Kalimantan (Kalbar) OMC Produces 87.9 Million Cubic Meters of Rainwater

Weather Modification Operations continue to take place in West Kalimantan (Kalbar) and Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) to help rewet land and support blackouts.

OMC in West Kalimantan (Kalbar) is scheduled to take place on 5–14 September 2026. Until the last report, the team had carried out nine flights using 7,200 kilograms of sodium chloride or NaCl seeding material.

Cloud seeding was carried out in the Mempawah, Singkawang, Bengkayang, Landak, Kubu Raya, Sanggau, Sekadau, Sintang, Ketapang and North Kayong areas.

The operation is estimated to produce 87.9 million cubic meters of rainwater. Calculations for the overall increase in rainfall will be carried out after the operation ends.

Meanwhile, OMC in Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) will take place from 6–15 September 2026. As of September 11, the team had carried out seven flights and used 5,600 kilograms of NaCl.

Seeding was carried out around Kapuas, Palangka Raya, South Barito, North Barito, East Barito and Pulang Pisau.

Rain generated through OMC helps wet the land and supports the work of fire teams. However, handling fires on peatlands still requires continuous extinguishing, wetting and cooling because embers can persist below the soil surface.

Japan Sends Three Chinook Helicopters

The government has alerted 53 air fleets to support forest and land fire control in six priority provinces. A total of 34 fleets were deployed for water bombing, while 19 others were used for air patrols and supporting OMC.

Air operations capacity has also been strengthened through support from the Japanese Government in the form of three CH-47 Chinook helicopters which have arrived in West Kalimantan (Kalbar).

The three helicopters will support water bombing operations after undergoing technical preparation stages and flight safety checks.

This support is part of the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation between Indonesia and Japan.

Fleet deployment is carried out based on the development of hot spots, field inspection results, fire conditions and the meteorological situation. Operations are prioritized to prevent the spread of fire and speed up handling at locations that are still active.

The strengthening of operations follows President Prabowo Subianto's direction for the government to handle every hot spot as early as possible and not wait for it to develop into a fire.

Preventive measures are also taken through wetting the land, providing water sources in vulnerable areas, and educating the community at the village level.

Air Quality in a Number of Areas is Unhealthy

Monitoring PM2.5 concentrations shows that air quality in Indonesia still varies. Most areas are in the good to moderate category.

However, a number of areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan recorded air quality in the unhealthy to very unhealthy category. In certain areas, air quality is even observed to be in the dangerous category.

BMKG estimates that Pontianak will experience hazy air with visibility of around four kilometers on September 12 2026 afternoon. Visibility in Pekanbaru and Banjarmasin was recorded at around seven kilometers.

Visibility and air quality can change according to smoke concentration, wind direction and speed, humidity, rainfall, and the development of fires in the field.

People in smoke-affected areas are asked to monitor air quality information and adjust outdoor activities.

When air quality is in the unhealthy category, people are advised to reduce outdoor activities and wear masks if they have to do activities outside the home.

Special attention needs to be given to children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with respiratory or chronic diseases because they are more vulnerable to exposure to PM2.5.

People are also advised to drink more water and immediately go to a health facility if they experience shortness of breath, prolonged coughing, irritation or other respiratory problems.

The Ministry of Forestry has again reminded the public not to clear or clear land by burning. Residents who discover smoke, hot spots or burning activity are asked to report it immediately so officers can provide an initial response.