BMKG Detects 2,610 Hotspots Across Sumatra, South Sumatra Records Highest Number

August 23, 2026 | 11:49 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Pekanbaru Station of the Indonesia Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Riau Province detected 2,610 hotspots across Sumatra Island, based on data updated at 07:00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time) on Sunday.

BMKG Pekanbaru forecaster Elisa JS Kedang stated that these hotspots were distributed across nine provinces, with the highest number detected in South Sumatra, totaling 1,311 points.

"Other regions contributing high figures include Riau Province with 355 hotspots, Jambi with 278, Bangka Belitung with 268, and Lampung with 187; followed by Aceh (67), Riau Islands (55), North Sumatra (45), West Sumatra (27), and Bengkulu (17)," she said.

Regarding Riau Province specifically, the 355 hotspots were spread across 11 regencies and cities. Pelalawan Regency was the most critical area in Riau, with 216 hotspots detected, followed by Indragiri Hilir Regency (80 hotspots) and Kuantan Singingi Regency (12 hotspots).

Read also: BMKG: Most of Indonesia forecast to be partly cloudy on Sunday

The remaining hotspots were detected in Kampar Regency (11), Siak (10), Meranti Islands (7), Indragiri Hulu (6), Bengkalis (5), Rokan Hilir and Rokan Hulu (3 each), and Dumai City (2).

Due to the high number of hotspots, visibility in Pekanbaru was limited on Saturday (August 22) night amidst smoky conditions. Meanwhile, air quality during the early hours and morning fell into the "unhealthy" category based on PM2.5 levels.

According to Manggala Agni, land fires in Riau have scorched over 700 hectares in recent days. The largest areas affected were Indragiri Hulu Regency (434 hectares) and Pelalawan Regency (300 hectares). See also: Jakarta likely to see partly cloudy skies from midday through the evening on Sunday.

In addition to those two areas, Manggala Agni is also handling a number of forest and land fires in Riau Province, including in the regencies of Kampar, Siak, and Bengkalis.

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