Allegedly Deliberately Burned, West Kalimantan BPBD Focuses On Extinguishing Land Fires Around Settlements

West Kalimantan BPBD officers extinguished the burning land with a focus around the settlement. (Doc. ANTARA/Dedi

PONTIANAK - Head of the West Kalimantan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Daniel said that the latest hotspot data in West Kalimantan, which entered as of August 16, 2023, from the results of VIIRS and MODIS sensors, was recorded at 1,206 points.

"With the portrait that is in coordination with the parties, patrols and blackouts continue to be carried out," he said.

Meanwhile, the area of land burned since January-July 2023 spread across 14 regencies or cities has reached 5,768.73 hectares and the area of burned land in August 2023 is in the field verification stage.

He added that currently his party is focusing on extinguishing the burning land around residential areas in Kubu Raya Regency.

"Today alone BPBD deployed two ground patrol teams to extinguish the fire in Sui Raya and Rasau, Kubu Raya Regency. Karhutla has approached residents' houses, thick smog has begun to disturb residents' comfort," he said in Pontianak, Thursday.

He said the cause of the fire was two locations near the settlement, which had indications of intent.

The West Kalimantan Province BPBD Land Patrol Team continues to carry out ground patrols and extinguish fires in the area in Kubu Raya Regency.

"We certainly collaborate between BPBD Kubu Raya, TNI and Polri. West Kalimantan now prioritizes law enforcement because there are indications that this fire has an element of intent. We encourage law enforcement task forces to investigate it," he said.

His party appealed to residents who will cultivate land to cultivate or clean gardens to prevent land fires.

"Make sure the fire has been extinguished and then return home, leave the fire still burning," he concluded.