Antara, Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency or BMKG Balikpapan detected 77 hotspots across East Kalimantan.

"As many as 77 hotspots were recorded throughout Sunday, January 28, 2024, starting 01:00 a.m. to 00:00 a.m. local time," said the Coordinator of Data and Infomation of the Class I Station Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan BMKG Balikpapan Diyan Novrida as quoted by Antara on Monday.

The hotspot information has been relayed to other relevant parties such as the Regional Disaster Management Agency for follow-up actions.

Diyan said a downpour is absent from several areas despite the rainy season, causing leaves and branches to dry up and easily ablaze.

Thus, Diyan urged all parties to remain vigilant and prevent forest fires by avoiding burning in open land or the forest.

The hotspots were spread across 34 areas in five regencies. The details are Paser with 5 hotspots in Batu Engau and Kuaro, West Kutai in Jemapng District, East Kutai with 53 hostposts, and Kutai Kartanegara with 17 hotspots.

In East Kutai, the hotspots were spread in Batu Ampar, Bengalong, Kaubun, Kongbeng, Long Mesangat, Muara Ancalong, Buara Bengkal, Muara Wahau, Rantau Pulung, and Telen Districts. The majority of the hotspots were found in Bengalong, with 26 spots.

"Meanwhile, 27 spots were found in Kutai Kartanegara, spread across five districts; Kembang Janggut with 9 spots, Loa Janan, Muara Jawa, Samboja, and Tabang District," Diyan concluded.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1827177/bmkg-detects-spike-of-hotspots-in-east-kalimanta