Wildfires Continue, Bakom Chief: Let Us Pray for Rain

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Head of the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom), Syahganda Nainggolan, has drawn attention to the ongoing forest and land fires (Karhutla) in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

He expressed hopes for heavy rain to fall in the areas affected by the Karhutla.

“We are saddened by the cases of Karhutla, as I have personally seen in Pontianak and other regions that our people are suffering from respiratory issues, asthma, and more. We pray that rain will come soon,” said Ganda at the Lemhannas office in Jakarta on Saturday (10/10/2026).

Ganda indicated that as a religious society, it is important to pray for rain to return to the locations impacted by the fires.

“As a religious society, it is crucial for us to pray. If rain does fall, hopefully, the air will return to normal soon,” he added.

He assessed that the Karhutla would not affect economic growth.

He stated that economic growth continues unabated.

“Thank God, we can see that in terms of growth, the economy and other sectors are not stopping,” he remarked.

Previously, smoke from the forest and land fires in South Sumatra disrupted three flights at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang on Wednesday (7/10/2026).

The flight disruptions were caused by limited visibility due to the thick haze.

According to data from October 7, 2026, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that 354 hotspots were detected with a high confidence level.

Additionally, there were 92 fire spots still burning an area of 390.61 hectares.

Acting Head of Data, Information, and Communication Center for Disaster Management at BNPB, Berton Panjaitan, stated that efforts to handle the Karhutla are being carried out by Ground and Air Task Forces.

“The priority handling is focused on several regions. Based on patrols by the Air Task Force, areas observed include Ogan Komering Ilir with 7 fire spots burning an area of 56 hectares,” said Berton.

Other priorities include Musi Banyuasin with 1 fire spot burning an area of 10 hectares.

In Muara Enim, there is 1 fire spot that has burned 15 hectares, and Ogan Komering Ulu has 1 fire spot with 1 hectare burnt.

To date, an area of 319.41 hectares has been extinguished by the Ground and Air Task Forces.

The Ground Task Force has managed to extinguish an area of 298.41 hectares, while the Air Task Force has covered 21 hectares.

“As for the remaining burnt area, approximately 71.20 hectares will be targeted for extinguishing today,” he said.