West Kalimantan Declares Zero Tolerance for Intentional Fires Amid Dry season Peak
Pontianak, West Kalimantan – The Indonesian ministry of Forestry has announced a strict zero-tolerance policy for residents intentionally setting fires in West Kalimantan as the province navigates the peak of its dry season, typically spanning July and August.
Habitat Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “As the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) has warned, West Kalimantan is facing the peak of the dry season. So, we declare no tolerance for burning.”
During an emergency briefing focused on wildfire mitigation, Minister nurofiq highlighted a conflict between a local regulation permitting slash-and-burn farming on two-hectare plots and national regulations.He stressed the immediate need for preventative measures, including the construction of fences and the demarcation of areas highly susceptible to forest and land fires.
Furthermore, Nurofiq underscored the importance of implementing stringent legal action against individuals responsible for igniting wildfires, particularly in vulnerable peatland areas. the progress of advanced technologies for wildfire prevention and mitigation was also a key point of discussion.
The effectiveness of technological interventions was demonstrated through weather modification operations aimed at reducing hotspots. “A few days ago, almost 400 hotspots indicating potential occurrence of wildfires were detected in West Kalimantan, but this morning, none of them exists. This is a remarkable achievement,” Nurofiq reported.
West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan urged for robust multi-stakeholder collaboration in the province’s wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts. He called upon all relevant parties to safeguard the environment from destructive activities that not only damage ecosystems but also pose significant threats to public health and the economy.
As of May 2025, wildfires had impacted 8,500 hectares across Indonesia, with anthropogenic factors identified as the primary cause of most land and forest fires. in response, President prabowo Subianto has directed his ministers to prepare proactive measures, with a particular focus on vulnerable regions in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
