Oil Tanker Catches Fire On Mentaya River In Sampit, Flames Still Burning

Saputra Berry    Sunday, March 29, 2026    Comment   

Oil Tanker Catches Fire On Mentaya River In Sampit, Flames Still Burning

An oil tanker caught fire on the Mentaya River in Sampit during docking. Flames remain active as authorities investigate the cause of the incident.

SAMPIT – An oil tanker caught fire while docked along the Mentaya River in Tanah Mas Village, Baamang District, Kotawaringin Timur Regency, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday afternoon.

The fire broke out at approximately 5:30 PM local time and quickly drew attention from nearby residents. Large flames were seen rising from the vessel well into the evening.

Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Kotawaringin Timur, Multazam, confirmed that the fire was still active as of Saturday night.

“The fire is still active. This involves fuel top-up and engine-related components,” he said.

Firefighters Work To Prevent Spread

Dozens of firefighters, assisted by local volunteers, were deployed to the scene to control the situation. Their main priority is to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby vessels and docking facilities.

Initial reports indicate that the tanker was undergoing repairs at a docking facility owned by a company when the fire occurred.

Search and rescue personnel are also expected to arrive at the scene to assist with emergency operations.

Cause Of Fire Still Under Investigation

Tanah Mas Village Head Ridowan confirmed the incident but stated that authorities are still gathering information regarding the timeline and cause of the fire.

“At this point, we do not yet know the exact cause, whether it was due to human error or another factor,” he explained.

He emphasized that the tanker belonged to a company and was undergoing maintenance at the time of the incident.

Docking Area Considered High Risk

Ridowan added that the location is commonly used as a technical hub for vessel maintenance. Various types of ships, including barges and tugboats, regularly dock there for repairs.

Technical activities such as welding are frequently carried out in the area, which inherently carries a higher risk of fire hazards.

“Repair work often involves welding on damaged or leaking parts of the vessel,” he added.

No Fuel Distribution Activity At Location

Addressing circulating rumors, Ridowan clarified that the site is not used for fuel distribution activities.

“I want to make it clear that there is no fuel loading or unloading activity there. It is purely a ship repair facility,” he stressed.

No Casualties Reported Yet

As of now, authorities have not released any official information regarding material losses or possible casualties.

Emergency teams remain on site conducting cooling operations to ensure no hidden fire sources remain and to prevent reignition.

FAQ

1. Where did the tanker fire occur?
The fire occurred on the Mentaya River in Tanah Mas Village, Baamang District, Sampit.

2. When did the incident happen?
Saturday at around 5:30 PM local time.

3. What caused the fire?
The cause is still under investigation.

4. Were there any casualties?
No official reports of casualties have been released.

5. Was the site used for fuel distribution?
No, the location is strictly a ship repair facility.

BPBD West Kalimantan Boosts Land Wetting to Prevent 2026 Wildfires

Ria Sartika    Friday, March 27, 2026    Comment   

BPBD West Kalimantan Boosts Land Wetting to Prevent 2026 Wildfires

BPBD West Kalimantan intensifies land wetting efforts to prevent wildfires ahead of the 2026 dry season, focusing on peatland and high-risk areas. (Illustration Image)

Pontianak – Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah Provinsi Kalimantan Barat is stepping up efforts to prevent forest and land fires ahead of the 2026 dry season by intensifying its land wetting program, particularly in fire-prone peatland areas.

The Daily Operations Coordinator of BPBD West Kalimantan, Daniel, said the initiative is a key strategy to maintain soil moisture and reduce the risk of fires early on.

“This wetting effort aims to keep peatland areas moist on a large scale, so the potential for fires can be minimized from the start,” he said in Pontianak on Friday.

Focus on High-Risk Areas

The land wetting program targets regions with high fire risk, especially peatlands that are highly susceptible to drying out during the dry season. This measure is considered crucial to prevent the emergence of hotspots that could spread rapidly.

According to Daniel, the initiative is part of BPBD West Kalimantan’s integrated strategy to deal with the dry season, which is expected to last until mid-2026.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

In addition to land wetting, BPBD West Kalimantan is intensifying ground patrols and strengthening coordination with multiple stakeholders, including Tentara Nasional Indonesia and other related agencies.

This cross-sector collaboration ensures prevention efforts run effectively and allows for rapid response if fire risks are detected in the field.

Challenges in Water Availability

However, the program faces several challenges, particularly limited water resources in some fire-prone areas.

To address this issue, BPBD West Kalimantan is considering requesting support from Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana, including the potential use of weather modification technology if conditions require further intervention.

Monitoring Weather Conditions

BPBD West Kalimantan also continues to monitor weather forecasts provided by Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika as a basis for determining response strategies.

In addition to operational readiness, public education campaigns are being intensified to raise awareness about wildfire prevention.

Minimizing Wildfire Impact

By optimizing available resources, BPBD West Kalimantan hopes the land wetting program will effectively reduce wildfire risks and minimize their impact on the environment and public health.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is land wetting?
Land wetting is a method used to maintain soil moisture, especially in peatlands, to prevent fires during dry seasons.

2. Why are peatlands prone to fires?
Because they dry out easily and contain organic material that ignites quickly under high temperatures.

3. What are the main challenges of this program?
Limited water supply in several high-risk areas.

4. What solutions are being considered?
Requesting support from the national agency and using weather modification technology if necessary.

5. How can the public help?
By avoiding land clearing through burning and supporting environmental protection efforts.

PLN Strengthens Community Preparedness Through Destana in Kiram Village

Ria Sartika    Thursday, March 19, 2026    Comment   

PLN Strengthens Community Preparedness Through Destana in Kiram Village

PLN Strengthens Community Preparedness Through Destana in Kiram Village

BANJAR REGENCY — PT PLN (Persero) South and Central Kalimantan Distribution Unit (UID Kalselteng) continues to demonstrate its commitment to community safety. This time, PLN collaborates with BPBD to improve residents’ preparedness through the Disaster-Resilient Village (Destana) program in Kiram Village.

This program responds to the potential flood risks that frequently occur in the area. Using a community-based approach, PLN aims to ensure residents are not only physically prepared but also equipped with knowledge and strong mental readiness during emergencies.

Head of BPBD Banjar Regency, Drs. Wasis Nugraha, emphasized that this program is a crucial step in building rural community preparedness.

“We want residents not only physically ready but also equipped with knowledge and mental preparedness. This is a real step to train readiness together,” he said in Martapura on Thursday.

The Destana program starts with planning involving local residents, followed by the development of comprehensive disaster standard operating procedures (SOPs), including evacuation route maps as essential guides in emergency situations.

Head of Preparedness Subdivision of South Kalimantan BPBD, Ariansyah, sees cross-sector collaboration as key in disaster mitigation.

“Emergencies are not the government’s responsibility alone. Collaboration like what PLN UID Kalselteng demonstrates is a real example of how all parties can contribute,” he said.

One strategic initiative is the formation of a Disaster-Resilient Group consisting of Kiram Village residents. They receive training ranging from basic disaster knowledge to emergency response simulations.

PLN and BPBD also provide disaster mitigation equipment and facilities, including rubber boats, emergency tents, communication devices, and safety gear to support community preparedness.

PLN UID Kalselteng Communications and CSR Manager, Ahmad Humaidi, said this program is tangible proof of PLN’s presence in the community.

“PLN is present not just through electricity, but also by strengthening social and environmental resilience,” he said.

He also urged residents to protect the environment as a preventive measure to reduce disaster risks.

Meanwhile, PLN UID Kalselteng General Manager, Iwan Soelistijono, affirmed that the Destana program is part of the company’s social responsibility to create resilient and disaster-ready communities.

“Through this program, we want residents not only to enjoy reliable electricity but also to be ready for various potential disasters,” he said.

With the Destana program in Kiram Village, PLN hopes to deliver long-term benefits to the community and foster a disaster-aware culture.

This initiative is part of PLN’s ongoing efforts to support safe, resilient, and community-oriented development.