Rising Concerns Over Kalimantan's Wildfires
Social media, particularly platform X, has seen a surge of posts urging people to 'Pray for Kalimantan.' This movement gained momentum amid the ongoing forest fires plaguing the region, highlighted by digital maps showing numerous hotspots across the island.
Staggering Statistics of the Fires
A popular tweet from user @hudanmuzakki provided alarming updates on the wildfires as of August 19, 2026, indicating that a total of 33,837 hectares of forest and land have already burned. The breakdown revealed:
- Kalimantan Tengah: 2,063 hotspots affecting over 3,000 hectares
- Kalimantan Barat: 1,982 hotspots with over 28,000 hectares burned
- Kalimantan Selatan: 512 hotspots impacting more than 380 hectares
- Kalimantan Timur: 507 hotspots affecting over 1,200 hectares
Visual Evidence of the Crisis
Further intensifying the situation, user @KangManto123 remarked on the dark satellite imagery of Kalimantan, where the widespread hotspots almost entirely obscure the island's surface. The tweet lamented the dire conditions, stating, "Kalimantan is so damn dark this is bad, almost an entire island... no word or anything at all wokkk?? #prayForKalimantan."
The visual impact was also underscored by various posts featuring photographs and videos from the affected areas. For instance, @Top_Disaster shared images taken at night, depicting large flames and thick smoke from the extensive fires in Central Kalimantan. The caption read, "Massive forest fire burning in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (20.08.2026)."
The Impact on Schoolchildren
One of the most poignant posts came from @indepenSumatera, displaying a video of schoolchildren in uniforms walking through thick smoke along a roadside. The children donned masks to cope with the near-zero visibility caused by the smoke, with the caption simply stating, "PRAY FOR KALIMANTAN." This image resonated deeply with many, prompting a wave of comments expressing concern for the children's safety.
User @lalaolalapooh_ commented, "Oh my God, it's this bad, stay safe everyone." Similarly, @harchivedx expressed solidarity, saying, "Stay safe, kids and everyone there."
Conclusion
The situation in Kalimantan remains critical, as wildfires continue to affect vast areas and impact local communities. The viral nature of the social media posts highlights the urgent need for awareness and assistance in addressing this environmental crisis.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/08/21/10160007/pray-for-kalimantan-menggema-video-anak-sekolah-tembus-kabut-asap-jadi-sorotan
