Central Kalimantan Braces for Forest Fire as 94 Hotspots Found

TEMPO.CO, Palangka Raya - The Central Kalimantan Province has entered the dry season. The Land and Forest Fire Control Task Force in the last two days (August 22-23, 2020) discovered 94 hotspots with a total area of 35.84 hectares.

According to the task force deputy commander, Darliansyah, there are eight hotspots in South Barito, 15 in East Barito, 19 in North Barito, eight  in Kapuas, one in Kotawaringin Timur, one in Lamandau, 15 in Murung Raya, 24 in Seruyan, two in Sukamara, and one in Pulang Pisau.

“There are seven water-bombing helicopters ready to put out fires in Central Kalimantan Province and one patrol helicopter,” said Darliansyah on Monday, August 24.

Three helicopters are presently at Tjilik Riwut Airport, Palangka Raya, two units at Hasan Airport, Sampit, Kotawaringin Timur, and one two units at Iskandar Pangkalan Bun Airport, Kotawaringin Barat.

“We hope there will be two more helicopters by this week, so the total will be nine,” he added.

Darliansyah, who is also the chief executive of the Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBPK), said the local government had declared an emergency status for land and forest fire disasters in six out of 14 regencies and cities.

“They are North Barito, East Kotawaringin, Sukamara, Katingan, West Kotawaringin, Seruyan, and Palangka Raya. Hopefully, with all preparations we have made, a smoke-free Central Kalimantan agenda can be realized,” Darliansyah said.

Read also: Water Bomb Helicopters Sent to Put Out Forest Fire in Kalimantan

KARANA WW