Kubu Raya – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming conducted a direct inspection of a forest and land fire (karhutla) site in Sungai Malaya Village, Ambawang District, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, on Thursday night (September 10, 2026).
The visit was aimed at assessing the latest conditions amid persistent haze and ensuring that firefighting and mitigation efforts on the ground were being carried out effectively.
During the inspection, Gibran highlighted the particular challenges of fires in peatland areas, where extinguishing surface flames alone is not enough. Embers can remain burning beneath the ground even after visible flames have disappeared.
For that reason, Gibran called for continued checks and monitoring until the area is confirmed to be completely safe.
“We must continue to monitor the situation to ensure that conditions on the ground are truly safe,” Gibran said.
He explained that haze lingering in several areas after surface fires have been extinguished could indicate that embers are still burning beneath the peatland. These hidden hotspots need to be addressed promptly to prevent the fires from flaring up again.
“Even though surface flames have been extinguished in some areas, haze remains because embers beneath the peatland have not been completely put out,” he said.
Gibran stressed that karhutla response is not merely about putting out fires, but also about ensuring that residents can safely resume their daily activities while restoring the affected environment and living areas.
During the visit, Gibran also met Lili Saputri, a resident whose home is located near the fire-affected area. He reminded Lili and her family to wear masks and seek medical attention if necessary as a precaution against the impact of the haze.
“Please wear a mask,” Gibran told her.
Lili expressed hope that the fire would be completely extinguished soon so that the haze would no longer enter her home. She also hoped that measures would be taken to prevent the fire from returning.
Gibran’s visit to Kubu Raya reflects the government’s continued attention to forest and land fire management in Kalimantan, particularly in peatland areas where monitoring remains crucial even after surface fires have been extinguished.
