TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Teams from Singapore and Malaysia has been deployed in a number of forest fire locations in Indonesia to help extinguish the fire. Head of Data and Information of the National Disaster Management Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said teams from the two neighboring countries claimed to have difficulty putting out the fire.
The teams have trouble due to the numerous hotspots and requested that the coordinates are confirmed for the existing hotspots, Sutopo said on Monday, October 12.
Sutopo says Malaysia is providing assistance by deploying a Chinoox aircraft, while Singapore sent a Chinoox helicopter. The aircraft from Malaysia arrived last Friday, while the helicopter from Singapore arrived last Saturday. The Malaysian aircraft will be operating for five days and Singapore’s helicopter for 15 days. The teams have attempted to extinguish fire in the area of Air Sugihan, Ogan Komering Ilir, South Sumatra. “This is the most vastly burned area with thick smokes releasing up to Jambi and Riau,” said Sutopo.
All foreign assistances, including aircrafts from Australia, are focused in Palembang, South Sumatra. The help, Sutopo said, is under the command of the National Disaster Management Agency, while its operational will be under the command of Palembang Airstrip Commander. “So all international assistances will be focused in South Sumatra, especially in Ogan Komering Ilir and Musi Banyuasin,” he said.
Until today, the number of aircrafts and helicopters that are used to extinguish the fire, whether international or domestic assistance, total 11 units. The main problem, said Sutopo, is the inside of the forest that still releases extremely thick smokes.
ANANDA TERESIA
