RIAU - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Riau Provincial Fire Department deployed two water-bombing helicopters to extinguish forest and land fires (karhutla) in the hilly areas of Rokan Hulu Regency.
The Head of the BPBD and Riau Fire Department, Edy Afrizal, stated that the location of the forest and land fires, specifically in Cipang Kiri Village, Rokan IV Koto District, has no land access.
Therefore, two water-bombing helicopters were required to extinguish the fire on Tuesday, August 26.
"The fire is located in a hilly area. There is no land access. It is located in Cipang Kiri, Rokan Hulu," Edy said in Pekanbaru, Antara News Agency, Wednesday, August 27.
Edy further explained that the deployment of two water-bombing helicopters was also due to the lack of ground firefighting teams able to reach the location. Furthermore, water sources are far from the fire site for extinguishing the fire.
The fire in Cipang Kiri, in the Rohul hilly area, has been burning for three days. He said that images of the forest and land fire locations showed smoke still billowing from the hills, where the forest still appeared dense.
Furthermore, firefighting efforts by aerial teams using water-bombing helicopters were also carried out in Sungai Sembilan Dumai, Dumai City, Rimbo Panjang, Kampar Regency, and Pekanbaru City. The difference is that in these areas, firefighting efforts were also supported by ground teams.
"A total of five water-bombing helicopters were deployed. Forest and land fires also occurred in Tanah Putih, Rokan Hilir. However, the firefighting efforts were entirely carried out by ground teams," Edy explained.
Despite rain falling in several areas in the past few days, he said, firefighters, both airborne and ground, were on standby. This proved to be a continuing trend, as forest and land fires continue to occur in various regions.
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