KUBU RAYA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka reviewed ground and aerial operations against forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Kalimantan on Thursday, September 10, calling for effective firefighting that protects both emergency personnel and communities exposed to haze.

Gibran began his West Kalimantan agenda at the wildfire command post at Supadio Air Base. Central and regional officials briefed him on active fire locations, aerial water drops and difficulties faced by firefighters working on peatland.

He later visited a burned area in Sungai Malaya village, Sungai Ambawang district, Kubu Raya regency. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan and Kubu Raya Regent Sujiwo joined the inspection.

“We must ensure that firefighting is effective, personnel are safe, and affected communities continue to receive basic services,” Gibran said.

The visit formed part of Gibran’s inspection of wildfire operations in three Kalimantan provinces. Earlier that day, he reviewed the response in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, and Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan.

The vice president said the government would continue strengthening its response under the guidance of President Prabowo Subianto.

Gibran stressed that firefighting teams must protect public services while containing the fires. Smoke exposure has disrupted education and increased demand for healthcare in affected areas.

“Firefighting and public services must proceed together, including access to medical treatment and education, as well as masks, vitamins, water and logistical supplies,” he said.

BNPB reported that hazardous concentrations of PM2.5 had reduced visibility to below one kilometer in parts of West Kalimantan.

Provincial data recorded 1,337 acute respiratory infection cases across the province’s 14 regencies and cities. Authorities extended home-based learning from September 7 to 11 to protect students from the smoke.

A joint task force involving 15,091 personnel was handling 31 priority fire locations as of September 8. Teams came from the military (TNI), police, disaster agencies, Manggala Agni forest fire brigades and community-based fire groups.

BNPB placed the affected area at approximately 691.74 hectares in its operational update.

Ground teams had extinguished or contained fires across about 155.96 hectares by soaking peat, conducting patrols and cooling burned areas to prevent underground fires from reigniting.

Governor Ria Norsan said the field inspection allowed officials to compare operational reports with actual conditions.

“This inspection is important to compare the data on paper with the reality on the ground so that our firefighting and mitigation strategy can be more measurable, coordinated and efficient,” Norsan said.

Regent Sujiwo called for stronger central government support for long-term prevention in Kubu Raya. He said authorities should address the factors that allow fires to recur instead of concentrating only on emergency suppression.

Gibran instructed agencies to follow up on field constraints and communicate developments clearly to the public.

The government, he said, must maintain coordinated prevention and response efforts while safeguarding residents from the health and social effects of prolonged haze.