VP Gibran Inspects Forest Fire Response in Central Kalimantan - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka arrived in Palangka Raya City on Thursday, September 10, to assess the situation and the response to forest and land fires (karhutla) in Central Kalimantan.
On that occasion, Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran said various measures to accelerate the response, ranging from prevention to extinguishing efforts, are continuously being implemented. "The provincial government continues to strengthen preparedness and the response to karhutla through the deployment of personnel, equipment, and operational support, as well as by enhancing coordination with the central government and various relevant stakeholders," he said, as quoted by ANTARA.
The Governor also outlined several obstacles still facing personnel on the ground, particularly the difficulty of accessing fire sites and limited water sources. These conditions make it difficult to fight fires, especially in areas that are hard to reach by land.
To this end, the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government seeks support from the central government, including additional helicopters for aerial firefighting, firefighting equipment, operational support, and the construction of water sources—such as borewells and small reservoirs—in areas prone to forest fires.
Meanwhile, local governments continue to strengthen coordination with the central government, the military (TNI), the police (Polri), firefighters, volunteers, and the community to ensure that any fire incident can be handled quickly and effectively. “Synergy and collaboration among all stakeholders are key to managing karhutla, ensuring that the people and environment of Central Kalimantan are protected from the impacts of fires and haze,” he explained.
In addition to fire management, air quality is also a matter of serious concern. Based on data from the Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Emergency Response Command Post as of September 9, 2026, a total of 2,819 forest and land fire incidents have been recorded to date, with a burned area of 9,228.04 hectares.
During the working visit, Vice President Gibran is scheduled to inspect several locations affected by forest fires, including 2 Petuk Katimpun Public Primary School (SDN) and the Nyaru Menteng area. The inspection aims to directly observe conditions on the ground as well as the response efforts undertaken by the local government and relevant agencies.
Read: West Kalimantan Extends Haze Emergency Status Through Sept. 20
