REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- Two Kamov helicopters will be reassigned to maximize land and forest fire extinguishing operations in South Sumatra, which has recorded 105 hotspots.
Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangile stated here, Tuesday, that the land operations need to be coupled with air support as the number of hotspots in the last two days has shown an increasing trend.
Based on satellite imagery data collected this morning, 105 hotspots were detected as compared to initially 45. Of the total, as many as 95 hotspots were spread in the Ogan Komering Ilir district and the rest in the districts of Ogan Ilir and Musi Banyuasin.
"Today, I have ordered them to move since the disaster status in Pekanbaru (Riau) has already been lowered," he noted.
He explained that the addition of two water bombing choppers will increase the number of units operating in South Sumatra to eight, with two units still in recovery.
Moreover, air units in South Sumatra comprise two Russian Be-200 aircraft hired by Sinar Mas, which are on standby in Pangkal Pinang, and three Air Traktor aircraft.
Willem not only reviewed the air support required in South Sumatra but also instructed to move two helicopters from South Kalimantan to Central Kalimantan, so that the air support unit in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, has seven helicopters to conduct water bombing operations.
"The condition in Central Kalimantan has been improving. The latest data shows only 79 hotspots," Willem explained.
Until now, the government and private parties are still trying to extinguish land and forest fires.
Uneven rains and the emergence of new hotspots in peatland areas have created complex obstacles for personnel on the field.
Previously, President Joko Widodo had called for a thorough handling of forest and land fires, including taking preventive steps to avoid their recurrence in future.
"This momentum must be utilized, and we must focus on prevention for the future. Hence, we will conduct a review on several rules, including laws and government regulations as well as governor regulations that permit the burning of forest and peatland areas," he affirmed while opening a limited meeting on handling forest fires at his office here on Wednesday (November 4) afternoon.
Despite latest reports indicating a drop in the number of fires and rains being experienced in several regions, the president called for continued efforts to handle and prevent forest fires.
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