BMKG Warns of High Fire Risk as South Kalimantan Records 696 Hotspots
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported 696 hotspots across South Kalimantan Province as of Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Most of the detected hotspots were classified as having a moderate to high risk of triggering forest and land fires, with several areas showing high fire intensity.
Fitma Surya Arghani, a weather forecaster at the Syamsudin Noor Class I Meteorological Station in Banjarbaru, said on Sunday that the 696 hotspots consisted of 45 with low confidence, 622 with moderate confidence, and 29 with high confidence.
BMKG’s Fire Weather Index (FWI) assessment showed predominantly high indicators, represented by the red zone, indicating a high potential for fire intensity and an increased risk of forest and land fires.
“Based on coordinate and administrative location data, the hotspots are spread across several areas, including Banjar Regency with 127 hotspots, South Hulu Sungai Regency with 115, Tapin Regency with 104, North Hulu Sungai Regency with 65, Tanah Laut Regency with 58, Central Hulu Sungai Regency with 48, and Kotabaru Regency with 46,” Fitma said.
Fitma added that 33 hotspots were detected in Balangan and Tanah Bumbu regencies, 28 in Banjarbaru City, 21 in Barito Kuala Regency, and 18 in Tabalong Regency.
BMKG classifies hotspot confidence levels into three categories. Level 7 indicates low confidence and may signal early signs of rising surface temperatures. Level 8 indicates moderate confidence and is the most commonly reported level, while Level 9 indicates high confidence and a strong likelihood that the detected hotspot is associated with a fire.
Level 9 hotspots were detected in Karang Intan, South Daha, North Batang Alai, South Tapin, and West Laut Island. Meanwhile, Level 8 hotspots accounted for the majority of the detections.
BMKG said hotspots are detected using several satellite-based instruments, including the VIIRS and MODIS sensors aboard NOAA-20, Suomi NPP, Terra, and Aqua satellites. These instruments detect temperature anomalies compared with surrounding areas during both daytime and nighttime. However, hotspots may not be detected in areas covered by clouds or in data-gap zones.
As of August 21, 2026, data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) showed that 1,651 forest and land fires had been recorded across South Kalimantan. The total area affected by the fires was estimated at 6,905.67 hectares.
Source : https://en.tempo.co/read/2118153/bmkg-696-hotspots-detected-in-south-kalimantan-on-sunday?tracking_page_direct
