Firefighting Send-Off Ceremony Draws Criticism As Kalimantan Fires Worsen

A formal send-off ceremony for teams responding to forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan has drawn criticism as the region faces a worsening fire emergency.

Governor Agustiar Sabran led the ceremony at the Isen Mulang Palace in Palangka Raya on Monday (Aug 31), accompanied by officials who waved chequered flags as firefighting vehicles departed.

The operation mobilised military and police personnel, civil servants, disaster-response agencies and volunteers.

The provincial government said it was meant to demonstrate preparedness and formally deploy additional manpower.

Central Kalimantan declared an emergency response status on the same day, after previously being placed on alert from May 26.

The fires had been burning for weeks before worsening in August due to a prolonged dry season and strengthening El Niño conditions. While the weather allowed fires to spread rapidly, many were believed to have been started through land-clearing activities.

By Aug 29, Central Kalimantan had recorded 2,090 fire incidents and 38,916 hotspots. Authorities deployed more than 7,200 personnel, helicopters, water-bombing operations and cloud-seeding efforts.

Across Indonesia, at least 202,010 hectares burned between January and July.

Nearly 5.5 million people in Sumatra and Kalimantan were exposed to smoke, while about 13,500 respiratory infection cases were recorded in July and August.

The haze also spread to Malaysia, with Sarawak among the worst affected.

Nearly 600 schools were previously closed, affecting around 200,000 students, while several areas recorded hazardous air quality.