Indonesia: 696 Hotspots Detected in South Kalimantan Amid High Wildfire Risk

South Kalimantan Province in Indonesia is facing a significant wildfire risk, with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) detecting 696 hotspots on Sunday, August 23, 2026. This surge in activity underscores the ongoing challenges with land and forest fires in the region.

According to Fitma Surya Arghani, a weather forecaster at the Syamsudin Noor Class I Meteorological Station in Banjarbaru, the detected hotspots are categorized by risk level. Out of the total, 45 hotspots were at low levels, 622 at moderate levels, and 29 were identified as high-risk. The BMKG's Fire Weather Index (FWI) for South Kalimantan is predominantly in the high-risk "red zone," signaling an elevated threat of fire intensity and spread.

The distribution of these hotspots is widespread across several regencies. Banjar Regency recorded the highest number with 127 hotspots, followed closely by South Hulu Sungai with 115, and Tapin with 104. Other areas with significant numbers include North Hulu Sungai (65), Tanah Laut (58), Central Hulu Sungai (48), and Kotabaru (46). Smaller numbers were detected in Balangan, Tanah Bumbu, Banjarbaru City, Barito Kuala, and Tabalong.

BMKG utilizes advanced satellite technology, including VIIRS and MODIS sensors on NOAA20, S-NPP, TERRA, and AQUA satellites, to monitor temperature anomalies. However, detection can be hindered by cloud cover. Data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as of August 21, 2026, indicates that forest fires in the province have already consumed approximately 6,905.67 hectares across 1,651 incidents.

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Based on coordinate and administrative location data, the distribution of the main hotspots includes Banjar Regency with 127 hotspots, South Hulu Sungai (115 hotspots), Tapin (104 hotspots), North Hulu Sungai (65 hotspots), Tanah Laut (58 hotspots), Central Hulu Sungai (48 hotspots), and Kotabaru (46 hotspots).