REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA –- Besides causing the drought, moderate El Nino that hit Indonesia was causing forest fires and land (Karhutla) were easily ignited. Data of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) mentioned that the hotspots located in Sumatra forest areas dominantly occurred during five months. As for Kalimantan was the lower, namely during four months.

"The peak of hotspots in Sumatra in August-October, and Kalimantan from September to October," said Head of Data Information and Public Relations of BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, on Thursday, July 30. By doing so, the moderate El-Nino was predicted threatened the potential of Karhutla until December 2015.

BNPB, he said, addressed 10 areas of Karhutla. Starting from Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan. Based on past experience, the worst condition of Karhutla each year were in Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

To anticipate the forest fires so not flared larger, BNPB provided Rp 385 billion as of September 2015. "If after September there is still a fire, we will increase the budget of the BNPB ready funds," said Sutopo.

In addition, BNPB also prepared 10 helicopters and three water bombing aircraft to artificial rain operations that enter the category of anticipation through weather modification technology.

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