BNPB Add Helicopter Assistance Handling Mount Arjuno's Forest And Land Fires

The addition of one helicopter unit used to help extinguish the Mount Arjuno fire, Friday (8/9/2023). BETWEEN/HO-BPBD East Java

PASURUAN - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) added assistance for one helicopter so that there were two helicopters to deal with forest and land fires (karhutla) on Mount Arjuno, East Java.

Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto said his party would continue to support efforts to extinguish forest and land fires carried out by the East Java Provincial Government by launching a number of aids.

"We have added a fleet of Superpuma helicopters with type AS332C1/PK-DAN, which has a water transportation capacity of 4,000 liters," he said while directly reviewing the handling of Mount Arjuno forest and land fires at Kalimandra Command Post, Dayurejo Village, Prigen District, reported by ANTARA, Friday, September 8.

BNPB also handed over operational assistance, in the form of Ready-to-Use Funds (DSP) worth IDR 750 million and a number of equipment for handling drought and forest and land fires including 10 jinjing pumps, 2 large capacity pumps, 5 medium capacity pumps, 40 nozle sets, 50 oxygen cylinders. unit.

"Actually, the handling of the water bombing is the last resort. What needs to be strengthened is land handling by involving strong personnel and complete equipment," he said.

Suharyanto said the cause of the majority of forest fires in this country was due to the actions of people who were less disciplined, less orderly or violating the rules.

"Therefore, during the times of El-Nino as it is today, we urge all people to be aware of activities that take advantage of the use of fire," he said.

East Java Provincial Secretary Adhy Karyono said that since the initial fire incident on Saturday (26/8), efforts to extinguish the fire by land have actually been carried out.

However, due to the very strong wind conditions and the location of the incident which was far from reach and limited in extinguishing equipment, the fire-affected area finally spread to spread in four areas.

Based on data updates from the Karhutla Command Post, the burned area currently has reached 4,796 hectares which covers a number of areas in four districts or cities.

He expressed his gratitude for the BNPB's quick response when asked for help from the helicopter fleet for water bombing purposes in East Java.

"We are sure, with the water bombing and extinguishing action by land, which we are doing hand in hand with the TNI, Polri and the community, the handling of this fire can be completed soon," he assured.