INDONESIA FIRES UPDATE, SEPT 2001
DOWN TO EARTH, 2001
Fires have affected Indonesia since early July this year, but the attention of the media has turned to political events inside and outside the country. In Sumatra, there were large numbers of fires in early July, especially on the Riau-North Sumatra border, and Indonesia's ASEAN neighbours were expressing concern about rising air pollution levels. One of the international forest fires monitoring projects reported that the Rengat area of Riau had the largest fires in Indonesia at that time and described the situation as follows: "Two blocks of forested land are being cleared – probably for oil palm. Burning has been taking place day and night for about two weeks. Ground fires have developed and the peat soil is fuelling the fire. Nothing special of course – it has been going on for years in Riau – but it exemplifies the slow but steady attrition of forest margins in the riverine backswamps and coastal wetlands of east Sumatra." Since mid-July, Sumatra has been overcast with very few fires detected. The rainy season generally starts towards the end of September and suppresses most fires, although clearing for oil palm plantations may continue even in wet months.
The recently revamped Forest Fire Prevention and Control Project website explains that "There are 261 registered oil palm estates in Riau alone, with concessions estimated to cover between one and two million hectares out of the total of five million within the province officially listed as Conversion Forest. A sizeable percentage of the one to two million hectares already has been, and eventually all will be, cleared by fire. There are also many illegal companies operating alongside the legal and are said by forestry staff to have occupied sizeable lands."
However, the weather in Kalimantan has been dry since mid-July. Fires have continued to burn throughout August and into mid-September with levels of smoke pollution exceeding the hazardous level for days at a time. In West Kalimantan, local showers have reduced the number of 'hot spots' (fires) on satellite images for intervals of a few days. Many of these fires are attributed to smallholders. Central and South Kalimantan have been badly affected, especially the peatlands of the abandoned million hectare rice project location. In Sumatra and Central Kalimantan, most of the fires are blamed on plantation companies. By early September, the number of fires in East Kalimantan was rising and authorities were issuing new warnings. There is no indication yet that Megawati's government is going to take Indonesia's forest fires problem any more seriously than its predecessors.
For up-to-date news on the fires look at these web sites:
Fire Ecology Research Group http://www.uni-freiburg.de/fireglobe
ASEAN haze information http://www.haze-online.or.id
Singapore pollution index http://www.gov.sg/env/psi/index.html or http://www.gov.sg/metsin/
Forest Fire Prevention and Control Project (EU-funded, Sumatra) http://www.mdp.co.id/ffpcp.htm
Integrated Forest Fires Management Project (GTZ-funded, Kalimantan) http://www.iffm.or.id
Forest Fire Prevention Management Project in Indonesia (Ministry of Forestry & Japan International Co-operation Agency) http://members.nbci.com/ffpmp/index.html
- The Indonesian NGO Forest Watch Indonesia has produced a useful factsheet (In Bahasa Indonesia) on this year's fires (http://www.fwi.i-p.com).
- The Jakarta Statement from the International Symposium on Tropical Peatlands (Aug 23rd) highlights the need to prevent further exploitation of peat swamp forests and deep peatlands (http://www.geog.nottingham.ac.uk/~rieley/kalhome/index.html).
NOTE: This summary of sources and articles is not comprehensive, but is intended to give an overall picture of what is happening in Indonesia.
JULY 2/7 ST 11/7 The Meteorological Service reported 154 hot spots, while there were few or no hot spots detected in the previous two months. (FWI July Factsheet says only 15 hot spots in June all on 30th) 3/7 Lampung Pos 20/7
(via WALHI) Lampung: NOAA shows 5 hot spots. 3/7 AP 5/7 Malaysian Officials Blame Indonesian Fires For Hazy Skies.
Officials in KL said there wasn't any health danger, but did not disclose the current reading of the air pollution index.
Minister for Science, Technology and Environment Law Hieng Ding said that 35 "hot spots" had been detected in Sumatra.
Fires alert index in C Kal and E Kal has jumped to extreme level (1750 - 2000).
IFFM Samarinda reported fire danger index in Balikpapan (1300), Tanjung Redep/Berau (1500), Tanjung Selor/Bulungan (1449), Nunukan (1288) and Samarinda (1829).
Smoke of fires also threatens flight activity at Palangka Raya airport. Since 23/8 Palangka Raya has been enveloped by thick smog with visibility only 10 m.
NOAA recorded 502 hotspots in C Kal, mostly concentrated in ex-PLG area. Smog also enveloped Samarinda with max. visibility 5 km.
Thirty more spots were reported in Malaysia's Sarawak state on Borneo. 4/7 Borneo Bulletin 4/7 Slight haze in Brunei. Possibly due to fires in Indonesia or Sarawak. Brunei's Environment Unit said that it has yet to receive data on the situation from the Meteorological Department. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said the latest "hotspot" map showed "hot spots" in southern and central Sumatra as well as southern Kalimantan. 5/7 7/7 JP Haze covering the city of Pontianak since last week has exceeded tolerable limits, and local officials suggested on Friday that people refrain from outdoor activities and use masks. Air contained between 1,067 micrograms and 1,494 micrograms of dust on 2/7. According to the Standard Index of Air Pollution (ISPU), the tolerable volume of dust content in the air is under 50 micrograms. More than 300 micrograms is very hazardous. 5/7 Lampung Pos 20/7
(via WALHI) 14 hotspots in Lampung . Possibility of fire spreading to Way Kambas Nat. Park which is peat swamp forest and burning underground for months. 5/7 Reuters 9/7 Smog from forest fires in Sumatra has affected southern provinces of Thailand: Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Narathivas and Yala, limiting visibility in some areas to 500 metres, officials said. 7/7 AP 8/7 Smoke pollution from fires in Indonesia could hit Singapore in the next few days, weather forecasters said. Satellite photos show about 100 "hot spots" and smoke plumes in the central and northern parts of Sumatra, a forecaster at Singapore's Meteorological Service Department said 8/7 JP 10/7 Pontianak: Early morning flights are delayed 2-3 hours as visibility is 100-200m. By afternoon clears to 1000m. 9/7 ST 11/7 Malaysian Environment Department reported a total of 617 hot spots in Sumatra. 9/7 Tempo 17-23/7 57 hot spots in 7 provinces. Largest number are in West Kalimantan, where 18 hotspots were recorded. Next worst hit is Riau in Sumatra, where there were 14. Thick smoke descended on Pontianak. At times you could only see 200 meters ahead. AFP 10/7 Pontianak: as above, but visibility figures not so bad (500m am, 5,000m pm) – no delays today. Less smoke in Pekanbaru today than yesterday due to rain. Medan still affected, but flights OK and no health problems yet. 10/7 AFP 11/7 Five Malaysian weather stations reported unhealthy ratings, but the government declined to release detailed air quality readings to avoid upsetting the tourist trade. Malaysia's west-coast Selangor state, surrounding the capital Kuala Lumpur, directed schools to stop all outdoor activities. 10/7 AP 11/7 Singapore's Meteorological Service, which monitors fires by satellite, reported more than 150 "hotspots" in Sumatra and close to 80 in Kalimantan. "We predict that the haze levels will rise because the fires have coincided with the dry season," said Hariyadi, an official at Indonesia's Meteorological and Geophysics Agency. "There is no major rain expected." FFPCP site 10/7 Same forest areas as last year are burning along Riau /N. Sumatra border. Fires producing most smoke in coastal peat swamp east of R. Barumun – 120,000ha over-logged, then burnt for conversion to estate crops. 10/7 JP 11/7 Ministry of Forestry said it had yet to formulate a program to tackle the fires. MU cited the lack of human resources and funds as reasons behind the ministry's failure to anticipate and cope with the problem. The ministry had yet to receive some Rp 140 billion (US$12.2 million) in reforestation funds this year to handle forest fires, Marzuki said. 11/7 Reuters 11/7 Visibility returned to normal in most parts of southern Thailand as smoke from fires on Sumatra was blown east towards Malaysia, Thai weather officials said. Rain cleared smoke in Malaysia. AFP 11/7 Authorities in W.Kalimantan have donated thousands of face masks to residents. Early morning motorists have already begun wearing face masks. Visibility only about 100 meters at 7am, but improved to two km by late morning. The haze normally worsens again at around 5:00 pm. Local administrators have warned residents to stay indoors from late afternoon until early morning. Reuters 11/7 "We will bring in a fire brigade from west Australia to do an assessment because we still don't have a good (fire management) system," Usman told reporters. "We may also rent a water bomber from Australia." Forest Preservation and Natural Conservation office had counted 117 "hot spots" in North Sumatra, 112 in Riau and 53 in West Sumatra provinces this week, compared with almost none last month. 12/7 AFP Thick smoke continues to envelop Pontianak, although few hotspots detected on satellite images. Experts blame subterranean fires in layers of peat. 12/7 ST 13/7 For the first time in two months, Singapore's Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) rose to 58. So far, PSI level for this month has not exceeded 50, except for July 6, when it hit 51. 13/7 ST 13/7 Singapore's Meteorological Service Department said PSI had risen to 65. Environment experts from Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei will go to Jakarta next week. Officials played down concerns that the fires could cause similar problems to 1997. 13/7 Antara via INCL 2916/7 Head of South Kalimantan`s provincial forestry office, Sony Partono, has reactivated the task forces to fight forest fires and smog 14/7 JP Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (APHI) refused responsible for the forest fires producing a thick haze that is blanketing parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. "I categorically reject any accusations that concessionaires are responsible (for the fire) or are engaged in burning the forest," the Jakarta Post quoted Reza Sinaga, APHI deputy chief for legal affairs. He blames abandoned or former concessions. *Even so, concession holders are still responsible. (FWI July factsheet says NOAA images show most hotspots are on active logging concessions) 15/7 JP Editorial: Jakarta is gripped by political paralysis and no one is dealing with the problem seriously. The haze will keep coming back unless firm action is taken to stop it. mid-July Asia Times 31/7 ASEAN's Haze Watch reported that in W. Kal, 88 percent of hotspots resulted from land-clearing activities by farmers. The remaining 12 percent occurred in crop plantation areas and industrial forest plantations.
So far, more than 2,500 people in Pontianak have suffered from respiratory troubles. Roughly 800 people reported having skin allergies and around 100 people have had eye problems, even as the government distributed protective masks for residents. "These are the data on victims who were registered only at the city's public health clinics. The real figure is expected to be much higher," said head of the Pontianak Health Office.
N. Sumatra has 279 "hot spots" extending 360 kilometers. Haze has also disrupted flights in Medan and Pontianak with visibility in the two airports less than 100 meters recently. 15-16/7 JP 17/7 After being choked by thick smog for almost three weeks, Pontianak residents welcomed the rain that fell on Sunday and Monday. Head of the Pontianak City Health Office said that from July 2 to July 15 almost 2,500 people had visited community health centres with respiratory problems. JP 18/7 (?17/7) Fauzi (Riau forestry office) said 24 companies had fires on their lands: Six HTI holders (timber estates) - PT Arara Abadi (AA), PT Riau Abadi Lestari (RAL), PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), PT Inhutani IV, PT Sinar Sumatera Plywood Industry and PT Rimba Seraya Utama.
13 plantation firms - PT Astra Agroniaga, Rokan Adi Jaya, Surya Dumai Agrindo, Duta Palma Nusantara, Raja Garuda Mas, Tani Swadaya Perdana, Musim Mas, Blankolam, Subur Arum Makmur, Kencana Amal Tani, Jatim Jaya Perkasa, Titian Tata Pelita and PTDharma Unggu Guna.
Five HPH holders (logging companies) - PT Rokan Permai Timber, Sri Buana Dumai, Siak Raya Timber, Bina Daya Bintara (formerly PT Kosmar Timur Raya) and PT Ubbi Mekar. Tempo 17-23/7
(via INCL 29) Satellite pics show fires in five concession areas belonging to PT Harapan Kita Utama in Kapuashulu, PT Tunas Indo Timber, PT Harapan Kita Utama and PT Nusantara Mukti Sentosa in Sintang and PT Tanjungpura Bhakti in Sambas. "If it is proved, their business licence can be cancelled and they can be fined Rp1 billion," added West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin. 17/7 ST 19/7
(via INCL 29) Indonesia's environment officials said they have set up a 24-hour command post to track the haze and may ban open burning. 17/7 Sripo 23/7
(via WALHI) Only one forest fire on satellite images in Musirawas area but local forestry office has set up fires squad with help of FFPCPC to prevent any more. WALHI Kalbar 18/7 WALHI + WWF + Langit Biru Setting up information service; set up fires post; press authorities to take action on BPK case from last year. JP 18/7 25 fires found near Palangkaraya over last 2 weeks. Local official says relatively small - due to locals clearing land for farms on peat. Fire locations were in Flamboyan, Tangkiling and the area between Palangkaraya-Sampit and the area between Palangka Raya-Kapuas. ST 18/7 Fires set to clear land for plantations may be less severe over South-east Asia this year because of lower palm-oil prices. Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association president Derom Bangun said the low prices would discourage companies from increasing the plantation areas. This year, a metric tonne of crude palm oil has been selling for a monthly average of around US$250 compared to the 1998 average of US$620. 18/7 MI 19/7 via sawit watch NOAA satellite shows 53 hotspots in W. Sumatra – mainly Pasaman, Kabupaten 50 Kota, and Pesisir Selatan. Local farmers plus clearing for oil palm plantations. Bad smoke problem locally. BP 19/7 Palangkaraya airport has had haze problem for several days but now clear due to light rain. Local forestry dept is setting up posts and urges people to prevent fires. C Kal expecting a Rp138 million alocation from Jkt for fire prevention. FFPCF website 19/7 Cloudy. Few hotspots – only up on Riau/N.Sumatra border 20/7 Sumbar Mandiri 57 hot spots have been detected in W. Sumatra, most in Pasaman, in oil palm areas (date not given – not clear if cumulative. Highest number of hot spots was July 14th. 20/7 BI 21/7 Re fires in Kalimantan, MU says he cant tell which concessions they are on! Met. Office, Singapore 21/7 Isolated hotspots over Kalimantan 20/7 SP 9/8 Commission B of E. Kal local assembly cancelled trip to Jkt to demand Rp1.5 trillion from Reforestation Fund for fire fighting because rains put out fires in Bukit Soeharto. Local MPI complained that local authorities failed to take immediate action. 20/7 Forest Watch Indonesia Lembar Facta Total hot spots detected June & July 2,982.
Most hot spots (63%) in logging concessions (883), timber estates (244), plantations (645) and transmigration sites (101).
Most in Riau (982, 33%). W Kal 18.77%, CKal 10.1%, W.Sum 7.2%, S.Sum 5.9%, Jambi 4.6%, N.Sum 4.5%, Molucca 3.8%, Lampung 2.8%, N. Molucca 1.86%.
Useful block graph. 21/7 MI (Via Sawitwatch 23/7) Head of Env. Disasters at Bapedal in Jkt, Antung Dedi, says most fires are in forest and plantation concessions. Satellites show HPH 61% (mostly those abandoned i.e. locals moving in), HTI 23% and other 16%. Cos still responsible. (*Possible press misprint – see FWI data above) 23/7 Wahid forced out of Presidency. Megawati becomes Indonesia's 5th President. No ministers announced yet 24/7 AP Account of how local farmers are causing fires in Sarawak. Asean leaders will include haze in their annual summit in Brunei Nov. 5-6. "Asean says 88% of fires in Sumatra and Indonesia's Kalimantan, on Borneo, are lit by small-scale farmers, while 12% occur in plantation and industrial forest areas." July 25-8 CIFOR via WALHI 7/2 International Conference on Community Based Fire Management to be held in Indonesia in July 2001. Follow-up from the International Workshop by Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC) and Project Firefight South East Asia (PFFSEA), Bangkok, December 2000. JP 26/7 Wahjudi Wardoyo, the forestry ministry's director general of forest protection and nature conservation, said there were only 2,239 hot spots detected by mid 2001 – 'half the number of previous years' at international fires meeting in Balikpapan. (*This ignores the fact it is only half way through the year, the wet season has only just ended, all these fires measures are supposed to have been put in place in recent years and 1998 was bad – esp in E.Kal where 25% of land/forest was burned. Number of fires may be higher as "spots" only detected by satellite at temperatures above 360°K.) K 27/7 Prosecution demands 4 year sentence for manager of PT Adei, accused of burning plantation land at Pekanbaru court. JP 31/7 360 hot spots in North Sumatra according to local plantations office. Most in Labuhan Batu, which has 187 hot spots. Companies identified as PT Daya Labuhan Indah, PT Cisadane Sawit Raya, PT Abdi Budi Mulia, state-owned PTPN IV, PT Wonorejo and PT Indosepadan Jaya. ( PT Wonorejo is in South Tapanuli; the rest are in Labuhan Batu). They all denied the allegations. AUG 1/08/01 K 26/7 Dirjen PHKA suspected unnamed concessioners behind slash & burn land clearing, but indicated land clearing took place on the ex-HPH of PT Inti Prona. 3/8 Konsorsium Kebakaran Hutan & Lahan, Riau The verdict for PT Adei Plantation estate manager - Mr. Gobi: 4 years in prison + Rp. 500 mil. fine 6/8 Banjarmasin Post 6/8/01 via Sawit Watch C Kal governor H Asmawi Agani threatened to cancel the concession of companies illegally burning to clear land. 27 members of C Kal GPPI (Indon Federation of Plantation Entrepeneurs.) responded with a pledge not to burn. 8/8 President Megawati announces her full cabinet line up: Environment Minister: Nabiel Makarim; Forestry Minister: M. Prakosa 12-14/8 Banjarmasin Pos 21/8 Hotspots in C. Kalimantan districts: Kapuas: 19 (12/8), 24 (13/8), 37 (14/8) Kobar: 8; Kotim: 5, Barsel: 2. 13/8 Pontianak Post 15/8 Air quality in Pontianak has reached extremely hazardous level – index 703 AFP 13/8 "It has definitely begun to become hazy since early in this month. The smoke haze only clears in the afternoon," said Siti Mustofiah of the meteorology station at Muarateweh."Part of the problem is that we have had no rains for quite a while now."
The head of the district's forestry office, Toboryano Angga, said there were no reports yet of substantial forest or ground fires in the district. "The smoke haze has not yet reached disturbing levels, it is still more or less normal but with a greyish sky," Antara 15/8 Indonesia`s newly appointed State Minister for Environment Nabiel Makarim on Thursday pledged to focus on the country`s forest fire problem. 14/8 Pontianak Post 15/8 136 hotspots are detected (NOAA) throughout Kalimantan, mostly in northern part of W Kal (100) . Thick smoke, especially at night and in early morning. Only light local showers, so rain does not clear pollution. 15/8 K 15/8 1997/8 Forest fires creates US$9 billion loss for ASEAN in agriculture, transport, tourism, etc, not including factors such as health impairment, loss of biodiversity, damage of fires, environmental degradation, says Rodolfo Saverino, ASEAN secretary General. An ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution is expected end 2001. AFP 16/8 ASEAN launched a regional blueprint to avert a repeat of the catastrophic haze of 1997-98 in a book titled "Fire, Smoke, and Haze - the ASEAN Response Strategy". 16/8 K 16/8 Fires spreading around Palangkaraya (C.Kal) . Hotspots concentrated in Kalampangan (Pahandut sub-district) ie. the ex-concession of PT Tanjung Raya Group. 16/8 Warta Bumi, 16/8/01 Haze in Barito Utara (C.Kal), visibility only 10 - 30 m. 15/8 & 18/8 AFP 19/8 Smoke from Kalimantan forced the Malaysian government to cancel 22 small aircraft flights in Malaysian-controlled Sarawak state on Borneo island between Wednesday and Friday. AFP 18/8 Singapore Meteorology spokesman described the haze in Singapore as "quite slight," and said it could clear up after "a couple of days" with some rain or a shift in wind direction. Hazy conditions in Brunei and Malaysia's Sarawak state were likely to remain for "the next week or so." 18/8 K 18/8 42 hotspots in C.Kal (NOAA), mostly in the ex-PLG area Kab. Kapuas, Kab. Barito Selatan, Kab. Kotawaringin Timur, Kab. Kotawaringin Barat. 18/8 AFP 19/8 "Most parts of the city were covered by smoke haze this morning," according to the meteorology station at Muarateweh, North Barito district in Central Kalimantan province. Haze reduced visibility to around 1,000 meters between 7:00 to 8:00 ; visibility had improved significantly by midday.
"Not one (of the hot spots) was found in plantation areas ... they were detected on civilian-owned lands that are burned every dry season for an upcoming planting season," said head of local forestry office. 20/8 Pontianak Post, 23/8/01 via Walhi WKal NOAA/FFPMP reported 614 hotspots in W Kal: Kab. Pontianak (36), Sanggau (219), Sintang (201), Kapuas Hulu (25), Ketapang (55), Bengkayang (13) and, Landak (65). Air pollution index in Pontianak "hazardous". 20/8 Walhi Kalteng 20/8 YBB has reported fires along Trans Kal highway down to border with S.Kal. Fires and haze were also spotted in the ex-PLG area of Tumbang Nusa, Pilang & Jabiren. Bad smoke pollution in Palangkaraya – visibility down to 30-50 m most of the day. 20/8 JP 28/8 IFFM coordinator reported number of hot spots in East Kalimantan jumped to 135 on Aug. 20 from only about 60 on July 25. They are spread throughout a number of areas, including the Bukit Soeharto area, where 410 hectares of forest have been destroyed by fires since June.
Fires have also destroyed forests near Muara Wahau and the Kutai National Park, Kutai Barat and Berau. Several other hot spots reportedly could not be detected by satellite monitoring due to poor visibility. 21/8 Bpost 21/8/01 The volume of smoke has increased, smoke indicator "unhealthy" sign in Palangka Raya. 21/8 Bpost 29/8/01 via YBB 128 hotspots recorded in C.Kal by NOAA JP 21/8 Fire broke out at Bukit Soeharto between the KM35 and KM39 in East Kalimantan. The blaze was believed to have been caused by land burning of local farmers AFP 21/8 Thick haze from fires in Indonesia forced Malaysia Airlines to cancel more than 70 flights on Borneo island over the past week. An environment department spokeswoman said the situation was expected to get worse.
Satellites on Tuesday detected 652 hotspots indicating fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan province - up from fewer than 45 on Monday when rains brought a brief respite. 22/8 Walhi Kalteng DAS has stopped flights between provincial capital Palangkaraya and Buntok in Barito Selatan district.
The air pollution index at the main roundabout in Palangkaraya shows over 100, but last month a figure of 1500 was reported from the clinic at Pahandut.
The local forestry office denies that logging and plantation companies are to blame for the thick smoke. 22/8 Pontianak Post, 23/8/01 via Walhi WKal MSS Spore reported 397 hotspots throughout Kalimantan, mostly concentrated in W Kal (164) & C Kal. 23/8 Pontianak Post, 23/8 via Walhi WKal Secretary of F-PBI DPRD W Kal, Tobias Ranggie, dismissed the common accusation among MPs/govt. to blame local people as the culprits. He instead points his finger to plantation companies such as PT. Riau Agro Utama Plantation in Putussibau as he witnessed the action himself. He also accused PT Finnantara Intiga & Nitiasa Idola in Kab. Sanggau, Sintang & Sambas. 23/8 MI 24/8 Fires alert index in C Kal and E Kal has jumped to extreme level (1750 - 2000). IFFM Samarinda reported fire danger index in Balikpapan (1300), Tanjung Redep/Berau (1500), Tanjung Selor/Bulungan (1449), Nunukan (1288) and Samarinda (1829). Smoke of fires also threatens flight activity at Palangka Raya airport.
Since 23/8 Palangka Raya has been enveloped by thick smog with visibility only 10 m.
NOAA recorded 502 hotspots in C Kal, mostly concentrated in ex-PLG area.
Smog also enveloped Samarinda with max. visibility 5 km. 24/8 Pontianak Post, 24/8 via Walhi W Kal Concessions of HPH PT Rimba Ramin (24 hotspots in Kapuas Hulu district) & HTI PT Finnantara (31 in kab Sanggau & Sintang) were reported as the most concentrated areas of hotspots in W Kal according to data supplied by Posko Karhutlada DisHut W Kal, NOAA & FFPMP-PKA-JICA Bogor. MSS Spore reported 303 hotspots in Kalimantan, mostly in W Kal. JP 24/8 Head of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) Goenawan Ibrahim warned on Thursday that the haze problem in Kalimantan might worsen as forest fires could easily be sparked by the protracted dry season in the region. 25/8 SP 3/9/01 597 hotspots in C.Kal. 3 big plantations in Central Kalimantan were allegedly burning to clear land as reported by local community and NOAA images. The companies haven't been named. 26/8 Pontianak Post 23/8/01 via PPSHK Subterranean peat fires threats to expand to local housing/settlements in Sanggau district, W.Kal. 26/8 K 26/8 Haze isolates people in the C-Kal hinterland as water levels drops and visibility is only 20 m. Speed boats require at least 500 m clear visibility. 26/8 Koran Tempo 28/8 via Sawit Watch NOAA reported 27 hotspots in W Kal - all in Ketapang district: former timber estates (6 spots), PT Natura AT (4 or 2?), PT Daya Agro Lestari (1), PT Duta Sumber Nabati (1). Reuters 27/8 Indonesia has placed 12 provinces on top alert for forest fires. Wahjudi Wardojo, director general of Forest Protection and Nature Preservation, said a growing number of hot spots had been identified in several provinces on Sumatra and Sulawesi islands and in the Indonesian side of Borneo island.
Indonesia has placed 12 provinces on top alert for forest fires.
Wahjudi Wardojo, director general of Forest Protection and Nature Preservation, said a growing number of hot spots had been identified in several provinces on Sumatra and Sulawesi islands and in the Indonesian side of Borneo island. 27/8 K 27/8 Mayor of Palangkaraya has declared "fire alert-1" as smoke continues to envelop the town and forest/land fires are spreading in C.Kal. Predicts the problem (drought, haze, etc) will continue until Dec. - Kompas' own observation on HPH PT Tanjung Raya Group notes that fires started to emerge in sites east of Palangkaraya.
At least 15 ha reforested area has been destroyed by fires. No sign of glow of fires, but smoke plume 1.5 km high due to subterranean peat fires.
E.Kal, Samarinda & Kutai Barat districts afflicted by haze.
Balikpapan airport at a halt, affecting heli-journeys to PT KEM. JP 28/8 Coordinator of the Samarinda-based Integrated Forest Fire Management (IFFM) Harmut M. Abberger expressed fears on Monday over the possible spread of forest fires in East Kalimantan as indicated by the rise in the fire danger index and the number of hot spots. He emphasised the danger of a repeat of devastating fires of 1997/1998 if the index continues to increase.
The head of E Kal Forestry office stated that the government were to blame for the forest fires destroying conservation areas, while fires in forest concessions, plantations & HPH were the responsibility of the respective companies. Koran Tempo, 28/8 via Sawit Watch In C Kal Bapedalda reported 22 hotspots in ex-PLG area. However, NOAA reported the overall number of hotspots in C Kal has reached 502. 28/8 MI 28/8 via Sawit Watch Samarinda is affected by haze by air traffic not disrupted (5 km visibility) 28/8 K 28/8 IFFM confirms 60 hotspots in E-Kal spreading along the trans Balikpapan-Samarinda, Bukit Soeharto, West Kutai, Kab. Berau and Bulungan. However, it can't confirm the extent of forest/ground cover areas on fire as it hasn't received any relevant report from DisHut. 28/8 Bpost 28/8 HPH PT Purwa Permai caught clearing 90 ha at camp Inu by burning, according to field report of local Env. Management office in Barito Utara district (C.Kal). Local NGO urges the authorities to pursue the case. AFP 28/8 "We will soon make artificial rain to overcome the smoke haze which has continuously blanketed Palangkaraya because of the fires in fields and from land clearing for other purposes,"said Salundik Gohong, mayor of the city in Central Kalimantan. 28/8 Koran Tempo 29/8 via Sawit Watch In Palangkaraya (C.Kal), 21 units of fire fighters are on alert to combat the emergence of new fires.
Pollution standard index showed PM 10 = 120 ie. exceeding the acceptable limit. 28/8 K 29/8 947 hotspots recorded in C Kal. Logging concessions and timber estates are the alleged culprits. Early morning visibility is only 2 m, improving in the afternoon to no more than 100 m. Fires are becoming more rampant.
A forestry team supported by the police & army was sent to fight the fires in ex-PLG area.
Head of C Kal forestry office said it was difficult to catch culprits red handed as reports came too late and fires had been put out when the investigation team reached the location. (NB. A feeble excuse as recent evidence of burning is obvious and can be checked against satellite data: DTE)
Fires in a reforested area of PT Tanjung Raya Group's concession in Tumbang Nusa have got worse. Subterranean peat fires is blamed for the seemingly unstoppable damage. 28/8 K 28/8 W. Kal Governor reported local administrators to Minister of Home Affairs for their lack of commitment in responding to the forest/land fires in the area. None of the bupatis bothers to report forest fires to his office. This "lack of respect to the central govt." isn't the first incident: on 27/6/01 no bupatis turned up to discuss forest management issues at Governor's invitation. 28/8 Walhi WKal 28/8 PT Finnatara Intiga denies its involvement in fires.
W.Kal Env. Mgment staff "ground checked hot spots" on 26/8 in Sanggau. Provisional conclusion: land clearing by burning was taking place in the area, but not within its concession area. There are 2,280 0.5 - 2 ha plots of farmed land in its concession.
PT FI's President Director accuses others of burning 10 ha and 25 ha of its land.
On Sat 25/8 (?) Bapedalda team went to PT SIA's concession area and on Mon 27/8 to Sintang for similar purpose. 28/8 Pontianak Post 28/8 via Walhi WKal Forest fires starts in Ketapang (W.Kal) along the S. Pawan - Tanjung Pura road. 28/8 K 28/8 IFFM confirms 60 hotspots in E-Kal spreading along the Balikpapan-Samarinda highway (including Bukit Soeharto forest park) and in West Kutai, Berau and Bulungan districts. The extent of forest/ground cover areas on fire has not been confirmed as IFFM has not received the relevant information from the local forestry office. BBC 29/8 The El Nino phenomenon will return next year, United Nations scientists have warned. However, researchers forecast a much weaker El Nino than the one that took hold during 1997 and 1998. 29/8 JP 30/8 The Ministry of Forestry is questioning some 100 forest concessionaires over forest fires. New Minister of Forestry Muhammad Prakosa said fires had started in concession areas, plantation estates & forest areas belonging to the locals. His ministry promised firm action: "If proven, we may revoke their concessions, demand compensation, or bring them to court."
The Assoc. of Forest Concession Holder (APHI) denies the allegations, arguing it's senseless to destroy own source of livelihood. JP online 30/8 Megawati Soekarnoputri asked Minister of Forestry Prakosa to discuss with State Minister of Research & Technology, M. Hatta Rajasa, the possibility of using artificial rain to handle forest fires on the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra. 30/8 Pontianak Post, 30/8 via W Kal Walhi W. Kal forestry office ordered to follow up fires. 6 hotspots in Sambas district; 27 in Ketapang were reported by NOAA & FFPMP-PKA-JICA. K 30/8 Minister's report - Hotspots have been recorded in 132 logging concessions, 20 timber estates & 59 plantation estates, reported the Environment Minister. He cited field reports that hotspots in S. Kal were generated by burning sugarcane plantation residues.
Hotspots were increasing by 5/8, followed by worsening air quality. Then rain helped to reduce the number of hotspots.
From 12/8 to the present, the increase in hotspots then moved to W Kal & E Kal. These areas have been covered by thick smoke every day.
Severe haze originated from ex- PLG areas (former concessions of Salim Group & Sambu Group). This makes up at least 62% of the total hotspots recorded throughout C Kal.
In W Kal hotspots almost spread evenly between Sanggau, Sintang, Pontianak & Ketapang districts.
Between 1- 26 August, the most hotspots and worst haze were in W Kal & C Kal (W Kal 1,227, C Kal 849).
W Kal: fires mainly originated from local people's land, while in C Kal plantation estate.
Malaysia & Spore govt. have reacted by asking the Indon govt. what action it is taking.
While the air quality of Palangka Raya is worsening, Jambi has been "saved" by heavy rain over the last 10 days. Only 1 hotspot recorded in Jambi: at trans site Simpang Pandan. 31/8/01 MI 31/8/01 via Walhi Info Regional govt. announced "alert-1" status to the region following the increase of fires danger index and the extreme level reached in Samarinda.
IFFM reported 120 hotspots in E Kal, mostly in the forest hinterland of R. Mahakam.
Smog is a serious health threat to many people, especially as the supply of masks is running low and local authorities cannot afford to buy more. SEPT 3/9/01 Kapuas Post 3/9 via Walhi Wkal Bapedal W.Kal found illegal burning in timber estates, traditional farms and plantations.
A legal investigation team will do fact finding in the field to avoid 'false accusation' cf PT Finnantara Intiga, whose land was cleared by local people/farmers. (NB Under The Forestry Act, PT FI is still responsible: DTE) 3/9 K 3/9 136 hotspots East Kal. Fire alert index in Samarinda has reached 1,897 (extremely high), Balikpapan 1,548 (high) and Tanjung Redeb 1,707 (high). AFP 4/9 Haze is still blanketing parts C. Kal due to deep-seated fires in peatland which are difficult to extinguish, a meteorology official said. The visibility has improved a bit because of strong winds, thought to have carried the smoke to East Kalimantan.
At least 100 fires in peatland of the coastal Kapuas district. Visibility had been around 400 meters in the mornings for the past three days.
The dry season has begun in most of Borneo, assisting the spread of fires. 4/9 K 4/9 Regular Palangkaraya-Jkt flights have been cancelled due to haze since Sept 2nd. 4/9 Kapuas Post 4/9 by Walhi Ketapang forestry office (W.Kal) refutes NOAA evidence of burning in plantation concession areas. He blames instead local people clearing/burning their own land (ladang) which happen to be near plantations. MI 8/9/01 Despite their claims to prevent & fight forest fires/haze, local authorities have ignored illegal burning by PT Antang Ganda Utama, an oil palm plantation company in Barito Utara district (C.Kal), which cleared almost 1,00ha in 4 days by burning. Local people urge them take action as the fires also spread to their land.
The management has fled to Jakarta to avoid questioning. 10/9 18/9 (WALHI) 140 hotspots in East Kal according to IFFM monitoring 13/9 18/9 (WALHI) Number of fires in E. Kal down to 8 due to heavy, localised rains.
Smoke is clearing along coast. Conditions in the interior not known. 13/9 JP Thick haze in Banjarmasin, S. Kalimantan did not prevent VP Hamzah's visit.
Fires attributed to rice farmers clearing fields after harvest. 16/9 IFFM website 268 hotspots in Kalimantan (but West Kalimantan covered by cloud.
Most fires in ex-PLG region, the mid-Mahakam river and South Kalimantan. 17/9 IFFM website 188 hotspots, mainly concentrated in South Kalimantan by the C. Kal border.
(Most of the rest of island of Borneo had heavy cloud cover). 19/9 IFFM website 459 hotspots detected in South and central Kalimantan.
All East and West Kalimantan obscured by cloud, so no satellite data available for those provinces.
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