SUKADANA, thekabarnews.com—The Kayong Utara administration has outlined how it may use Rp20 billion in central government assistance to fight forest and land fires (karhutla). The funds will also be used to protect residents from smoke and restore burned peatland in the West Kalimantan regency.

In a statement dated September 24, Regional Secretary Romi Wijaya said the grant entered Kayong Utara’s Regional Public Treasury Account (RKUD) on September 9.

The administration subsequently incorporated it into the 2026 regional budget through the unexpected assistance (BTT) funds.

The expenditure plan follows Home Affairs Minister Circular No. 300.2.8/6460/SJ, issued on September 9.

The circular governs the use of central assistance and transfers from other regional governments for wildfire response in seven provinces. These provinces include West Kalimantan.

Kayong Utara declared a smoke emergency through Regent’s Decree No. 345/BPBD/IX/2026 on September 3.

It then amended the regulation detailing its 2026 regional budget on September 14. The decree provided the legal basis for recording the assistance.

“If it comes to funding, the president has provided us with Rp20 billion,” Kayong Utara Regent Romi Wijaya said earlier in September.

“We are formulating its use according to the applicable implementation and technical guidelines,” he added.

The money may finance ground operations and peat-injection methods used to reach fires burning beneath the surface. Eligible spending includes fuel, field logistics and food for response teams.

Kayong Utara may also use the grant to operate evacuation posts and distribute supplies. The grant can also provide free medical care for residents affected by smoke, particularly those with acute respiratory infections.

The permitted equipment includes protective gear, water pumps, hoses and portable tanks.

Other authorized uses cover incentives for firefighters, support for community fire groups and volunteers, and wildlife rescue. The funds may be used for restoration of burned peat ecosystems.

The circular also permits additional expenditure when directly required to manage wildfire impacts.

The need remains substantial. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 1,357 high-confidence hotspots across West Kalimantan during the 10 days ending September 21. Satellite monitoring still detected smoke over the province on September 24.

The fires have also affected wildlife. The Forestry Ministry reported that its teams rescued three orangutans from burned areas in Kayong Utara in September. These operations followed earlier efforts involving other displaced animals.

Kayong Utara’s Disaster Mitigation Agency, Health Office and Public Order Agency will manage activity proposals within their respective mandates. The regency inspectorate must review each proposal before officials spend the assistance.

The administration also plans to accelerate procurement of urgently needed pumps and protective equipment. Earlier reports indicated that limited market supplies had complicated purchases despite the availability of funding.

The September 24 statement explains the permissible uses of the Rp20 billion, but it does not provide an itemized realization report.

Publishing procurement contracts, recipients and actual expenditure will therefore remain essential. This information is important for demonstrating that the emergency funding reaches firefighters and affected communities.