3 Regencies-1 Cities In Central Kalimantan Set Emergency Status Of Forest And Land Fires

Land fire on Jalan Lingkar Utara, Sampit, Tuesday (13/8/2024). (ANTARA/HO-BPBD Kotim)

The Disaster Management and Fire Management Agency (BPBPK) said that four areas in Central Kalimantan (Central Kalimantan) covering three districts and one city have established emergency alert status for forest and land fires (karhutla). "These four areas include East Kotawaringin, Seruyan, Kapuas and Palangka Raya," said Head of the Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) Disaster and Fire Management Agency (BPBPK) Ahmad Toyib in Palangka Raya, Thursday 15 August, confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the determination of emergency alert status for each district and city in Central Kalimantan was different, because it adjusted the development of conditions in each region. For East Kotawaringin (Kotim) starting from July 5 to October 2, 2024, Seruyan July 19 to October 16, 2024, Kapuas July 22 to October 19, 2024, and Palangka Raya on July 6 to October 3, 2024. Furthermore, Toyib said that until now the Field Post of the Karhutla Control Task Force in districts/cities continues to carry out control efforts. "Various personnel continue to carry out efforts, such as carrying out patrols, socialization and extinguishing forest and land fires," he explained.

He said that based on early warning, the level of ease of forest and land fires based on renewal as of August 14, 2024, until 14.00 WIB by the PB Pusdalops, namely the Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) showed the level of potential for fire to occur as seen from weather parameters in light, flammable materials at the top layer of the ground surface.

Then, the dryness level of this flammable light material, such as humus, surface, garbage, dry leaves, minang-alang, and other light materials that usually cover the forest floor at a depth of 1-2 cm is very dry, and very flammable. "Therefore, we ask the public to be aware of events and impacts due to forest and land fires and other extreme weather," he said.