LAPAN Detects 310 Hotspots in Indonesia, Most in West Kalimantan

Based on the forest and land fire monitoring system (SiPongi) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), monitoring from September 1st to 27th detected 310 hotspots. This data is derived from satellite imagery from Terra/Aqua satellites belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) with a confidence level of over 80%.

The highest number of hotspots was detected in West Kalimantan, reaching 182 points. This number increased from the previous month, which only recorded 110 hotspots.

East Nusa Tenggara is in second place with 51 hotspots, also showing an increase compared to the previous month's 46 hotspots. West Nusa Tenggara is in third place with 15 hotspots.

Ten hotspots were detected in Bangka Belitung, followed by Central Java with 8 hotspots. Meanwhile, Central Kalimantan, Papua, and South Sumatra each detected 7 hotspots.

According to the Technical Guidelines for Hotspot Information on Forest and Land Fires compiled by the Remote Sensing Deputy of LAPAN, a hotspot is an area with a higher temperature than its surroundings. Hotspots can be detected by satellites and do not represent the number of forest and land fire incidents.

Qualitatively, a large number of clustered hotspots does indicate forest and land fires in a region. Satellite-detected hotspots remain the most effective data for monitoring forest and land fires over large areas.