BNPB Finds 63 Karhutla Points In Central Kalimantan

BNPB helicopters when extinguishing land fires on Jalan Mohammad Hatta or South Ring Road, Saturday (19/8/2023). BETWEEN/HO-BPBD Kotim

Head of the Center for Disaster Data, Information and Communication of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Abdul Muhari stated that he found 63 land forest fires (karhutla) in Central Kalimantan.

Karhutla masih terjadi di wilayah Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah. Hingga Jumat (25/8) ditemukan 63 titik kahutla di tujuh kabupaten/kota, katanya dilansir ANTARA, Sabtu, 26 Agustus.

Abdul said as many as 63 forest and land fires include South Barito, East Barito, Katingan, Palangka Raya, Pulang Pisau, Seruyan, and East Waringin.

Based on daily reports compiled, forest and land fires are still happening in South Barito, namely in Tabakan Village, which is not far from the company's land.

The South Barito BPBD report stated that it had rained in the area, making it easier for teams to extinguish the fire.

"Rain also makes the Barito River's water discharge increase by up to nine meters, making it easier for the joint team to get water sources to support extinguishing efforts," he said.

According to him, forest and land fires also occurred again in the Pulang Pisau Regency area and the incident occurred twice, especially in the Sei Tabak area.

It was reported that it had fallen in the Pulang Pisau area but it was not evenly distributed throughout the region so that the joint team continued to try to extinguish the fire either by land or supported by the BNPB water bombing helicopter.

The forest and land fires with a large enough fire were reported to have occurred in Katingan Regency with efforts to extinguish the fire slightly hampered because the water discharge from several rivers had not yet increased.

The Kotawaringin Timur Regency area reported that 10 areas affected by forest and land fires with efforts to extinguish the fire either through the Land or Air Task Force had been carried out.

Several hotspots can be controlled but still leave smoke so that the joint team will again comb through several points that still have the potential for further forest and land fires and patrols in other new areas.

Meanwhile, the Central Kalimantan Police have arrested six perpetrators who were proven to have burned forest and land on purpose.

According to reports, six perpetrators consisting of two people in East Kotawaringin, one person in Kapuas, two people in Sukamara, and one person in West Kotawaringin. They admit that forest and land fires are commonplace and common.

The police then took firm action by raising the status of the six perpetrators to be suspects and will process them based on the applicable law.