{
  "id": 2938409,
  "title": "Nearly 3,000 Fire Hotspots Detected Across Sumatra, BMKG Says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/nearly-3-000-fire-hotspots-detected-across-sumatra-bmkg-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T04:26:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2118195/nearly-3000-fire-hotspots-detected-across-sumatra-bmkg-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, August 24, the Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) in Riau Province reported 2,945 hotspots across Sumatra. Forecaster Gita Dewi S said the hotspots were detected in 10 provinces, with South Sumatra recording the highest number at 1,429. Other provinces with high hotspot counts included Riau (491), Jambi (437), Lampung (203), Bangka Belitung (115), Aceh (114), North Sumatra (64), the Riau Islands (53), West Sumatra (20), and Bengkulu (19). In Riau, Pelalawan Regency suffered the most, with 239 hotspots, followed by Indragiri Hilir Regency with 166 and Bengkalis Regency with 30. The high number of hotspots led to reduced visibility in Pekanbaru, down to 2.5 kilometers on Sunday night, and unhealthy air quality, classified as very unhealthy by PM2.5 measurements. In response, the Pekanbaru Education Agency began implementing remote learning for students from early childhood education through junior high school. Forest and land fire mitigation unit Manggala Agni reported that fires in Riau had burned over 800 hectares of land, with Indragiri Hulu Regency affected the most, losing approximately 471 hectares. Pelalawan recorded around 300 hectares of burned land, with Kampar Regency also impacted.",
  "summary": "BMKG detected 2,945 fire hotspots across Sumatra, with South Sumatra recording the highest number at 1,429 as smoke shrouded parts of Riau.",
  "key_points": [
    "BMKG reports 2,945 fire hotspots across Sumatra on August 24",
    "South Sumatra has highest hotspot count at 1,429",
    "Remote learning implemented in Riau due to poor air quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The widespread detection of fire hotspots across Sumatra indicates a significant escalation of forest and land fires, prompting authorities to take mitigation measures and affecting air quality and local education.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}