Riau Gets Additional Helicopter Assistance To Tackle Karhutla

PEKANBARU - The Riau Provincial Government received an additional helicopter from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to support efforts to combat forest and land fires (karhutla) in its territory.

Head of the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), M Edy Afrizal, said that with the addition of one helicopter from BNPB, now there are two helicopters on standby to tackle forest and land fires.

"With the arrival of these helicopters, there will be two helicopters in Riau, one more helicopter type Bell assistance from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for patrols," he said, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 17.

"Then there is one Caravan type aircraft for patrol assistance from BNPB. With two helicopters and one plane, it is hoped that it can help support forest and land fire control operations in Riau, especially in areas that are difficult to reach by the land task force," he continued.

BNPB will deploy a team to check the readiness of human resources and the condition of helicopters, supporting equipment for fighting forest and land fires.