Jakarta, ThedailyID — The number of forest and land fire hotspots in Central Kalimantan has reached 3,947, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
The agency recorded an increase of 1,837 hotspots based on data from the Ministry of Forestry’s SiPongi system for August 26, from 00:00 to 23:59 WIB.
BNPB Acting Head of Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center Berton SP Panjaitan said the number of fire spots also reached 81, with the burned area estimated at more than 7,634 hectares.
“In Central Kalimantan, the number of hotspots also increased by 1,837, bringing the total to 3,947,” Berton said during a press conference, Thursday (27/8).
Visibility in the affected area was recorded at around four kilometers. Authorities have carried out ground operations in Pulang Pisau, Seruyan, and Kapuas, focusing on extinguishing fires, containing their spread, and cooling affected areas.
The fires have also affected public health. In Kotawaringin Barat, cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) have reportedly increased amid the worsening fires.
The local health department recorded around 515 ARI cases in a single week, according to Jhonferi Sidabalok, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Kotawaringin Barat Health Office.
“The trend of ARI cases has shown a fluctuating pattern, with a significant increase from weeks 28 to 32,” Jhonferi said, Thursday (27/8).
