Deputy Governor Ingkong Ala Rakor With Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs, Bahas Prevention Of Forest And Land Fires

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of North Kalimantan (Kaltara) has stated that it is ready to face various potential forest and land fires (Karhutla) this year.

This was said by the Deputy Governor of Kaltara, Ingkong Ala, while attending the Coordination Meeting (Rakor) which was chaired directly by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs office, Jakarta, Thursday, March 13.

Ingkong Ala also said that before the central government's Desk was launched, the local government had formed a team to anticipate and overcome forest and land fires.

"This team has existed since 2017, consisting of all relevant regional apparatus and vertical agencies. For example, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Environment Agency (DLH), the Forestry Service, Polda, TNI and the community," said Inkong Ala.

"We are collaborating with the local community, as well as companies around fire-prone areas. We have asked them to help, including their fire extinguishers as well," he continued.

Deputy Governor Ingkong said Tanjung Palas Timur was one of the areas prone to being in Bulungan Regency. The area is quite difficult to get water and is dominated by peatlands.

Meanwhile, in mountainous areas, when there is forest and land fires, it does not spread, because the people already understand and have local wisdom in clearing land when planting rice.

"It is certain that the community will first set a fire barrier and find out the right time to burn. Likewise, the area is not too wide and is carried out in mutual cooperation," he explained.

He emphasized that companies in Kaltara have an obligation to secure their areas and have fire extinguishers such as fire pumps and tank vehicles equipped with PPE for extinguishing tasks.

Then, for areas that are minimal in water or flow, a pond point called "Convex" for water reservoirs will be made to facilitate the process of extinguishing forest and land fires.

"If there is a fire, all lines must go to the field, as a coordinator in the BPBD area assisted by the TNI, Polri to the lower level, then OPD such as Satpol PP, firefighters, Dishut, DLH and the Agriculture Service," he said.