Indonesia battles surge in forest fires as West Kalimantan hotspots nearly double

Jakarta is grappling with a surge in forest and land fires in Kalimantan, with hotspots in West Kalimantan nearly doubling to 7,377 on Monday. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported a spike of 3,553 hotspots to 7,377, alongside a rise in fire spots from 88 to 104, leading to visibility dropping below one kilometer. In Central Kalimantan, hotspots fell by 147 to 5,244 while fire spots rose by 16 to 72.

South Kalimantan saw a drop in hotspots to 504, but a 33 increase in fire spots to 55. In Sumatra, South Sumatra experienced a 209 rise in hotspots to 1,013, but a significant decrease in fire spots in Riau and Jambi. The fires have also severely impacted public health, with nearly 5.5 million people in affected areas across Sumatra and Kalimantan.

About 13,500 acute respiratory infection (ISPA) cases were recorded between July and August, with 4,082 still suffering as of Sunday. This year's health impact from smoke is worse than last year, according to Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono. The Environment Ministry has flagged 42 companies for potential action over detected forest and land fires within their concession areas.

Environmental Law Enforcement deputy Rizal Irawan stated that companies face strict liability if fires occur within their concession, regardless of intent. Indonesia is also coordinating with neighboring countries over transboundary haze through Asean mechanisms following a meeting in Bali last month. Prevention efforts include 95 Fire Care Community groups and notices to 2,226 companies last year, with 80 percent reporting readiness.