For The Sake Of Clean Air, Banjarmasin BPBD Reaches 33 Hotspots

Fire illustration (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - Officers from the Banjarmasin City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reached 33 hotspots. This is to ensure clean air for the community.

"The area is from these 33 points, 5.3 hectares. The scale is small and relatively easy to reach because access is not far from the road," said Banjarmasin City BPBD Chief Executive Husni Thamrin when confirmed in Jakarta, Saturday.

The Banjarmasin City BPBD, according to Husni, is more worried that the negligence of the community due to the habit of burning garbage will continue to be allowed.

"The burning of garbage that was left could cause the fire to spread to the bush," said Husni.

Based on information shared by the Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center of the National Disaster Management Agency Abdul Muhari, the smog caused by forest and land fires (karhutla) in South Kalimantan Province has been affected by the community, one of which is in Banjarmasin City.

However, the joint team has been able to map the source area and its control strategy.

The smoke fog that occurred was caused by land fires. From June 26 to October 3, 2023, the Banjarmasin City BPBD recorded at least 33 land fires in its area.

In addition, the forest fires that occurred in the area around the city of Banjarmasin made the smog more widespread, especially during the past week.

The area in question is the city of Banjarbaru, Barito Kuala Regency, and Banjar Regency where hundreds of points have been burned.

Therefore, the air of banjarmasin in the last few days has become unhealthy due to the siege of smoke sent from the surrounding area.

Responding to this condition, the Banjarmasin City Government is implementing a distance learning method (PJJ) for students from the early childhood education level (PAUD) to junior high school (SMP) until October 7, 2023.

The decision to conduct distance learning is taken as a safe step so that students can be protected and avoid infectious diseases of the Upper Respiratory Channel (ISPA).

However, the decision to implement the PJJ can still be evaluated whether it continues or not, depending on the success of handling the smog that the local government continues to strive for.

The Banjarmasin City Government also appealed to the public not to leave the house before, if they had no interest. Even if you have to leave the house, you are advised to wear a mask.

The Banjarmasin City Government also continues to coordinate with the provincial government and the surrounding city and district governments to help deal with smoke, especially in the ring 1 of the airport.

In addition, masks were also distributed to officers in the field as well as people in border areas.