Palangka Raya on wildfire emergency alert as peatland burns again
Satellite image analysis puts the wildfire-affected area in Kalimantan Tengah at about 2,915.11 hectares.
Palangka Raya is again facing forest and land fires in peatland areas, including in Kelurahan Bukit Tunggal, on Sunday (12/7). Firefighters from the Kalimantan Tengah Forestry Service were deployed to extinguish the blaze, which is difficult to control because dry peat can keep burning below the ground surface. The Palangka Raya city government has been under a wildfire emergency alert status since 1 June through August 2026 to prepare for the dry season. Satellite image analysis shows the wildfire-affected area in Kalimantan Tengah has reached about 2,915.11 hectares, while Palangka Raya has recorded the highest number of incidents in the province. The situation raises the risk of haze, disrupts air quality and public activity, and could spread to residential areas if the fire is not brought under control quickly.