Efforts to address forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Kalimantan require joint commitment among the government, communities, and stakeholders.
The growing climate crisis—which intensifies droughts and raises fire risks—combined with unsustainable land-clearing practices, demands a more integrated, community-based approach to prevention and mitigation.
The Escalating Threat of Forest and Land Fires
Forest and land fires remain one of the most severe ecological disasters threatening West Kalimantan Province, especially in areas dominated by peatland ecosystems.
The climate crisis has further exacerbated the frequency and intensity of long dry seasons, heightening the risk of massive fires.
According to Novia (2024), global surface temperatures are projected to rise by 0.3 to 0.6°C, which directly contributes to the spread of hotspots across the province. This trend demands serious attention to prevent the recurrence of large-scale fires witnessed in previous years.
Between 2020 and 2024, hotspot data in West Kalimantan has shown a fluctuating pattern.
Based on the Gemawan Spatial Center’s analysis, 2023 recorded the highest number of hotspots and the largest burned area in recent years.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK, 2025), the total burned area in 2023 reached 111,848 hectares, a dramatic increase compared to 21,836 hectares in 2022.
These figures serve as an urgent warning: fire risk in West Kalimantan continues to rise in parallel with climate change and peatland degradation.
Mapping Fire Vulnerability in West Kalimantan
Several regencies—Sanggau, Landak, Sekadau, Kubu Raya, Sambas, and Ketapang—show medium to very high levels of fire risk.
These areas are dominated by flammable peat soils and intensive palm oil plantation and agricultural expansion, often involving slash-and-burn practices that heighten vulnerability during the dry season.
According to the Gemawan Spatial Center (2025), areas in red on the fire risk map—especially Sanggau, Landak, Ketapang, and parts of Kubu Raya—represent very high-risk zones requiring priority monitoring and early mitigation.
These zones have experienced recurrent fires every year, generating thick haze that disrupts daily activities, public health, and urban air quality.
From 2020–2024, Ketapang Regency consistently ranked first in fire incidents, with 689 hotspots recorded in 2023. Many were located in peatlands 100–300 cm deep, which are extremely difficult to extinguish once ignited. Other highly affected regions include Sanggau (325 hotspots), Sintang (211), Landak (158), and Melawi (119).
Even Sambas and Mempawah, though smaller in scale, recorded fires in peat layers up to 200 cm deep, indicating significant latent risks that must be addressed through sustained prevention.
Key Drivers of Forest and Land Fires
The high fire vulnerability in West Kalimantan is caused by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, with several major contributors:
1. Land Clearing by Burning
Slash-and-burn remains a common land-clearing method among small farmers and large plantation companies due to its low cost and perceived efficiency.
However, in peatland areas, this method is extremely dangerous as fires can spread underground and become uncontrollable.
2. Flammable Peatland Conditions
Much of West Kalimantan’s high-risk zones consist of dry peatland, which burns easily during droughts.
Peat fires are not limited to surface flames but extend underground (ground fires), where smoldering embers can persist for weeks or months.
3. Weak Oversight and Law Enforcement
Monitoring of illegal burning remains weak, especially in remote areas.
Law enforcement against both individual and corporate offenders is often inconsistent, leading to a lack of deterrence and continued violations.
4. Limited Infrastructure and Community Capacity
Equipment available to local Fire Care Community (MPA) units is often inadequate for large-scale fires.
Members lack consistent training in early detection, fire control, and suppression, while limited budgets exacerbate the problem.
Multi-Sectoral Impacts of Karhutla
Each fire season devastates not only forest cover but also biodiversity, human health, and the local economy.
The fires destroy wildlife habitats and threaten endemic species, undermining the ecological functions of forests as carbon sinks and water regulators—thus worsening climate change itself.
The haze pollution from peat fires severely affects public health, causing acute respiratory infections (ISPA), eye irritation, and chronic illnesses—particularly among children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.
Economically, the haze disrupts transportation, trade, and agriculture.
Dense smoke often forces the closure of airports, ports, and roads, slowing goods distribution and damaging crops.
Reduced yields mean lower incomes for farmers, while fire suppression costs and healthcare expenses impose additional burdens.
Altogether, forest and land fires represent not only an environmental disaster but a multi-dimensional crisis that threatens community well-being.
Mitigation and the Path Forward
Facing recurring fire threats, comprehensive and long-term mitigation measures are essential.
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Strengthen Community Fire Brigades (MPA):
Training, equipping, and financing local fire care groups is crucial so they can act as first responders during outbreaks. -
Enhance Early Detection through Spatial Technology:
Utilizing satellite imagery and remote sensing enables rapid hotspot identification, allowing prompt suppression efforts and periodic fire risk mapping. -
Public Awareness and Environmental Education:
Sustained education on the health, economic, and ecological impacts of fires helps foster community responsibility.
Reviving local wisdom such as non-burning land management practices can also play a key preventive role. -
Consistent Law Enforcement:
Strong and transparent prosecution of violators—both individuals and corporations—is critical to creating a deterrent effect. -
Promote Fire-Free Land Clearing Alternatives (PLTB):
Encouraging sustainable land cultivation techniques among smallholders and agribusinesses reduces fire risk while maintaining soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
Collaborative Commitment for the Future
Tackling forest and land fires in West Kalimantan requires shared responsibility.
Government, civil society, local communities, and private sectors must work hand-in-hand to implement integrated, community-based fire management.
By strengthening local capacity, using modern monitoring tools, and enforcing environmental laws, West Kalimantan can move toward a fire-resilient future.
With the right prevention strategies and cross-sectoral collaboration, the cycle of recurring fires can finally be broken—preserving peat ecosystems, protecting public health, and ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods across the province.
Reference
KLHK. (2025, February). Indikasi Luas Kebakaran. SiPongi. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://sipongi.menlhk.go.id/indikasi-luas-kebakaran
Novia, A. (2024, November 5). BMKG Umumkan Prediksi Iklim 2025, Tahun Depan Lebih Panas. Detik. Retrieved 2 17, 2025, from https://www.detik.com/edu/detikpedia/d-7623037/bmkg-umumkan-prediksi-iklim-2025-tahun-depan-lebih-pan
Penulis: Mohammad R & Roni Antoni, pegiat Gemawan.