Even Though It Is Estimated That The Forest And Land Fires Are Safe, The Riau BPBD Is Still On Standby For Helicopters And Water Bombing Planes

RIAU - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Riau Province has prepared helicopters and water bombing planes to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) in their area.

Head of BPBD Riau Edy Afrizal said that countermeasures were still on standby even though Riau was predicted to be safe from forest and land fires.

"To increase this alertness, even now Riau has received an additional 1 Super Puma helicopter from BNPB. Now we have 2 of the 8 helicopters prepared by BNPB for Riau," Syamsuar told reporters in Pekanbaru, quoted from Antara, Monday 27 June.

He said that so far the Riau Provincial Government has not asked for additional helicopter assistance, related to the forest and land fires situation so far it is still safe.

Meanwhile, the handling of a number of burned areas had previously been successfully controlled, along with the withdrawal of all personnel from the field.

"Nevertheless, our officers remain on standby, and patrol activities are still carried out. If later there are reports or hotspots are monitored through the Lancang Kuning dashboard, we are ready to go down," he said.

In addition, in an effort to handle forest and land fires, currently Riau is also assisted with 1 unit of karapan aircraft for patrolling, and 1 helicopter assistance from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

"Both of them are used for patrols and can also be used for water bombing. So now in Riau there are 3 helicopters and 1 plane on standby," he said.