Jakarta (The Indonesian News) – The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said it is strengthening air operations to handle forest and land fires (karhutla) in six priority provinces.
These six provinces include Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.
Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Berton SP Panjaitan, said that this effort is being carried out to accelerate handling while also supporting ground firefighting operations.
“In addition to strengthening ground task forces, BNPB is also strengthening karhutla handling through air task forces in six priority provinces,” Berton said in his official statement on Friday (August 21).
Furthermore, he detailed the air operations that BNPB has carried out in each of these provinces as of Friday.
In Riau, BNPB operates one patrol helicopter, one helicopter for weather modification operations (OMC), and five helicopters for aerial firefighting operations (water bombing). Meanwhile, in Jambi, BNPB operates one patrol helicopter, one helicopter for OMC, and two helicopters for water bombing.
“Furthermore, in South Sumatra, BNPB has deployed one helicopter for air patrol, one for weather modification operations (OMC), and seven helicopters for water bombing,” he explained.
He also detailed BNPB’s air operations in the other three provinces on the island of Kalimantan.
In South Kalimantan, BNPB operates one patrol helicopter, one for OMC, and three for water bombing. Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan, BNPB operates one patrol helicopter, one for OMC, and four for water bombing.
In West Kalimantan, BNPB operates two patrol helicopters, one for OMC, and five for water bombing.
“The operation of these helicopters will continue to be adjusted to field needs. Meanwhile, for OMC, BNPB collaborates with BMKG to monitor the growth of potential rain clouds that can be utilized for OMC,” he added.
According to Berton, karhutla handling on the island of Kalimantan remains the government’s top priority as a number of new karhutla incidents continue to emerge, particularly in East Kalimantan.
For example, on Wednesday (August 19), BNPB recorded new karhutla points in Paser Regency, specifically in Tanah Grogot District, Batu Sopang District, and Batu Engau District. The fires affected conservation areas covering approximately 25.29 hectares.
BPBD Paser Regency then moved quickly to the location to carry out ground firefighting and post-fire monitoring. The fire was successfully extinguished the following day.
In addition to Paser Regency, BNPB also recorded a number of new, relatively massive karhutla points in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, with a total area reaching 49.55 hectares.
To handle these incidents, Berton said that the BPBD Quick Response Team of Kutai Kartanegara Regency, together with volunteers and firefighters, immediately dispersed to various accessible points to carry out ground firefighting.
“Karhutla handling on the island of Kalimantan remains the government’s top priority at this time,” he explained.
Berton added that BNPB urges regional governments to continue strengthening preparedness, monitoring, and early detection of potential karhutla, and to ensure the availability of firefighting facilities and infrastructure.
In addition, the public is also urged to increase vigilance against potential hydrometeorological disasters during the dry season, especially karhutla.
“The public is also urged not to carry out burning activities in fire-prone areas. If residents know of or see a fire incident, they should immediately report it to local authorities so that handling can be carried out quickly and effectively,” he said.
Source: Press Release of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia
