Officers Work to Extinguish Peat and Palm Oil Fires in Langsa, Aceh

Officers put out a fire on peat land and oil palm trees in Gampong Meudang Ara, East Langsa District, Langsa, Aceh/ANTARA/HO-BPBD Langsa

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that the peatland fire in Langsa City, Aceh has been completely extinguished after a joint team deployed three fire trucks to the scene.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said that the peatland fire hit Gampong Meudang Ara, East Langsa District, Thursday (23/4) afternoon, at 12.00 WIB.

"Based on the results of the assessment in the field, this incident was triggered by the activity of one of the residents who burned garbage during the day. The fire then spread uncontrollably," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, April 24.

He explained that BPBD Langsa City officers together with the local Fire Service immediately carried out firefighting efforts shortly after receiving the report.

Three units of fire trucks and supported by two units of water supply tanks were deployed to ensure that the water supply at the fire site was sufficient.

BNPB confirmed that thanks to the quick response of the team on the ground with the deployment of sufficient fleets and personnel, the fire, which also burned a number of oil palm trees, was successfully extinguished and did not spread to the residents' settlements.

"Two hectares of peat land burned," he said.

Due to this incident, Abdul appealed to the public not to burn garbage or open land by burning it, especially in peatland areas and during hot weather, because the risk of fire spreading is very high and difficult to control.

BNPB provides full assistance to local governments to monitor hotspots and ensure the readiness of personnel and equipment in the face of potential forest fires in vulnerable areas.