Central Kalimantan Anticipates, Braces for Potential Forest, Land Fires

The Central Kalimantan government has said it is bracing for potential forest and land fires in different locations within the province and is working with different institutions to optimize mitigation.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) previously predicted that the peak of dry season will occur in August, and the local government is preparing to handle the potential disaster alongside different agencies, including the police and military.

“Besides various anticipatory efforts in the field, today – alongside the military, police, and other elements – we assembled to ensure all personnel’s preparedness to handle forest and land fires,” Central Kalimantan governor Sugianto Sabran said on Wednesday, August 10, as reported by Antara.

The province’s leader also asked all regents and mayors to increase alertness on the disaster, especially since dry season’s peak is looming.

Commander of Military Area 102 Panju Panjung Brig. Gen. Yudianto Putrajaya said his unit is prepared, particularly by taking into account the extensive areas of peatland in the province which increases the risk of fires.

“The first step is to seek, find, and put out fire in respective unit’s area,” Putrajaya said of the military’s strategy in dealing with the natural disaster.

Educating communities on the importance of taking care of peatlands is also part of the strategies employed by the military to prevent any fires during the dry season.

Meanwhile, chief of Central Kalimantan Police Insp. Gen. Nanang Avianto said the police regularly conducts patrols to detect signs of fires and holds trainings to improve personnel capacity.

“We have also had disaster simulation exercises, such as [for] floods as well as forest and land fires,” Avianto confirmed.