inp.polri.go.id - Ketapang. Wildfires in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, remain a serious concern. Amidst ongoing firefighting efforts, the Ketapang Sub-regional Police are also processing 30 reports related to suspected forest and land fires.
Ketapang Sub-regional Police Chief, Superintendent Putra Pratama, stated that of the 30 reports, 19 have been filed as police reports. Three reports relate to corporations and 16 to individuals. The remaining reports are still information reports.
"So, a total of 30 reports are currently being processed related to forest and land fires," Putra said after meeting with the Ketapang Journalists Coalition (KAWAN), Tuesday (9/29/2026).
This law enforcement effort is underway alongside the handling of forest and land fires in several areas of Ketapang. The police, along with relevant agencies, continue to work to extinguish hotspots that are still emerging on the ground.
The rain that fell in several areas of Ketapang on Sunday (9/27 /2026) successfully extinguished many fires. However, the rainfall was not evenly distributed, resulting in 56 medium-level fires still being observed burning.
Several areas in the Kendawangan and Air Upas Districts reportedly have not yet received rain. Similar conditions also occurred in several villages in the North Matan Hilir District.
Putra stated that the police, along with the Indonesian National Military (TNI), the Ketapang Regency Government, Manggala Agni, and related agencies, are still struggling to extinguish the fires.
For fires that are difficult to reach by land, extinguishing operations are being carried out using water bombing with support from helicopters stationed in Ketapang.
"We are also intensifying water bombing to extinguish the 56 fires, utilizing helicopters on standby in Ketapang. We are also continuing to coordinate with weather modification," he said.
Meanwhile, fires that are still accessible by land are being handled by joint personnel with water supply support from tankers.
Firefighting efforts were also reinforced by personnel from the Mobile Brigade Corps from the Bali Regional Police, the East Kalimantan Regional Police, and the West Kalimantan Regional Police, who were deployed to assist with the forest and land fire response.
In addition to focusing on firefighting and law enforcement, police reminded the public not to clear or clear land by burning. The smoke generated by forest and land fires is considered to disrupt various community activities.
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