'Hot' New Year, BMKG Detected Some 38 Hotspots in East Kalimantan

TheIndonesia.co - Balikpapan's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) office detected 38 hotspots scattered across several locations in East Kalimantan that necessitates related stakeholders to take preventive measures to contain the spread.

"A total of 38 hotspots were observed throughout Thursday (Jan 4) from 01:00 to 24:00 Central Indonesian Time," Data and Information Coordinator of BMKG Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Class I Station in Balikpapan Diyan Novrida stated here on Friday, as quoted by Antara.

The information on the spread of hotspots has been submitted to relevant stakeholders, including to the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) at the provincial and district levels respectively, so that further action can be taken.

Novrida remarked that although East Kalimantan is currently experiencing the rainy season, several locations have still not received rains in a few days, which might lead leaves and twigs in woods and dry terrain to become flammable.

As a result, all parties are urged to remain watchful and equally avoid the increase in forest and land fires, such as by not burning in forest lands.

A total of 38 hotspots were observed to be spread across three districts, namely East Kutai, with 33 hotspots; Berau Regency, with three hotspots; and Kutai Kartanegara, with two hotspots.

Meanwhile, 25 hotspots were found in Bengalon, three each in Kaubun and Muara Wahau, and one hotspot each in Rantau Pulung and Telen District having an intermediate degree of confidence.

Two hotspots in Kutai Kartanegara, spread over two sub-districts, namely Marangkayu and Muara Badak, each had an intermediate level of trust.

For the two hotspots in Berau, located in the sub-districts of Gunung Tabur Satu and Kelay Kecamatan Dua Titik, all have an intermediate level of trust.

"Community prevention includes, among other things, avoiding dumping cigarette butts indiscriminately and not burning while cleaning or clearing land because dry leaves and twigs are prone to igniting larger fires," Novrida cautioned.