Tapin BPBD Puts Out 12 Hectares Of Forest And Land Fires

The forest and land fires (Karhutla) that hit oil palm plantations in Pematang Karangan Hilir Village, Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan, Thursday (7/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO-BPBD Tapin)

Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan, Raniansyah said joint officers extinguished forest and land fires (Karhutla) that hit 12 hectares of shrubs and oil palm plantations in Pematang Karangan Hilir Village.

"More than 10 hectares of shrubs and more than two hectares of oil palm plantations were affected by the fire," said Raniansyah as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 7.

Raniansyah said that the fire had appeared since this afternoon, but the joint officers of the Karhutla Tapin Task Force were able to extinguish the source of the fire.

"The fire has been successfully extinguished 95 percent. The conditions are safe," said Raniansyah.

Raniansyah revealed that officers faced obstacles due to lack of water sources and were difficult to reach in the village, so personnel had to set a strategy to take advantage of the availability of water available.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Tapin Police, Iptu Sugiono, conveyed the same thing regarding the lack of water sources at the forest and land fires location.

"Indeed, water is difficult there. Big wells are dry and rivers recede," said Iptu Sugiono.

Sugiono said the police were still investigating the cause of the fire that hit the frozen shrubs and oil palm plantations.