9 Regions In Cilacap And Banyumas Vulnerable To Forest Fires, Perhutani Prepares Anticipation

PURWOKERTO - Perum Perhutani Forest Transportation Unit (KPH) West Banyumas prepared steps to anticipate forest fires in the southern and southwest regions of Banyumas Regency as well as the western region of Cilacap Regency, Central Java, in the 2023 dry season.

"Our areas include Wangon, Lumbir, and Gumelar, Banyumas Regency, as well as Jeruklegi, Kawunganten, Majenang, and Wanareja, Cilacap Regency. Incidentally, none of our areas entered the slopes of Mount Slamet," said West Banyumas KPH Perhutani Administrator Arif Fitri, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 26.

Regarding measures to anticipate forest and land fires, he said the Perum Perhutani Headquarters had ordered its staff to coordinate with other stakeholders, such as the TNI, Polri, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and the Civil Service Police Unit.

In addition, he said, his party at the KPH level has also formed a team or unit to prevent the blackout of forest and land fires (Satdamkarhutla).

"At the KPH level, there is a Control Post chaired by the Deputy Administrator. Then at the BKPH (National Transportation Unit) level, there is a Field Coordination Post with the person in charge of Asper (Assistan Perhutani) and the Implementing Command Post at the Kemantren level with the person in charge of the Head of RPH (Land Transportation Resort) or Mantri," he said.

According to him, efforts to anticipate the fire were also assisted by the Fire Care Community (MPA), the Forest Police Partner Community, and the Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH).

"This is an example that already exists in Jeruklegi Village, Jeruklegi District, Cilacap and Dermaji Village, Gumelar District, Banyumas," he said.

He said the Control Posts and in each Field Coordination Post and the Implementing Command Post were also equipped with various fire extinguishers, such as water pumps and hoses, "gepyok", fork hoes, and water pumps that could be carried into the forest.

According to him, his party has also joined the Natural Disaster Rapid Response Team (TRC) formed by the Banyumas Regency BPBD some time ago.

"The TRC formation event is also filled with briefing related to technical handling of natural disasters including forest and land fires," he said.

Furthermore, Arif said that the West Banyumas Perhutani forest area which is prone to fires is mostly on the side of the highway, such as the Kubangkung and Karangpucung (Cilacap) forest areas and forest areas on the east side of the Wangon-Ajibarang (Banyumas) road.

According to him, the incidence of forest fires in the area is usually caused by human factors throwing cigarette butts carelessly.

"The anticipation that we are doing is by removing dry grass or flammable objects in forest areas. We will also build warning boards for fire anticipation," he said.

In addition, he said, his party also provides guidance to the community around the forest so as not to make fires in the forest.

"In agricultural activities in the forest, especially when removing grass or weeds, don't burn it," he explained.

According to him, one of the obstacles faced when forest fires occur is the availability of water for the blackout process, because the availability of water during the dry season is very minimal.

Therefore, he said, the pickup truck and double cabin used for patrols of the West Banyumas Forest Police are equipped with water reservoir tanks that can be used as water sources when forest fires occur.