Widespread rainfall across the Riau Province in the early hours of\nFriday (11\/9) has had a positive impact on the management of forest and\nland fires (Karhutla). The downpour significantly assisted the\nfirefighting process at several locations within the region.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Riau Regional Disaster Management and Firefighting\nAgency (BPBDP DPK), M. Edy Afrizal, confirmed that several large fire\npoints, specifically in Indragiri Hulu (Inhu) and Siak regencies, have\nnow been reported as extinguished.<\/p>\n
\u201cRain fell quite evenly across Riau. Several Karhutla locations that\nwere previously quite large, such as in Inhu and Siak, are reported to\nhave been extinguished due to the heavy rain,\u201d Edy stated on Saturday\n(12\/9).<\/p>\n
Although surface flames are no longer visible, BPBDPK Riau has not\nwithdrawn all personnel. Edy emphasised that field teams remain on\nstandby to conduct strict monitoring, given that the burnt areas consist\nof peatland.<\/p>\n
The primary concern for officers is the presence of embers remaining\nbeneath the surface (ground fire). These embers could trigger new fires\nat any time if exposed to wind or if weather conditions become hot\nagain.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeams remain on standby at the burnt sites to perform cooling down\noperations. This is an anticipatory measure in case the fire resurfaces\nso it can be immediately extinguished,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
While fires in Inhu and Siak have subsided, new challenges have\nemerged in other areas. BPBDPK has received reports of new fire points\nin the Bantan District, Bengkalis Regency. This fire is located near the\nareas that were previously successfully extinguished.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew fire points have emerged in Bengkalis. The location is near the\nprevious fire sites. Extinguishing efforts by joint teams are currently\nunderway,\u201d Edy added.<\/p>\n
To tackle the fires in Bengkalis, relevant authorities have deployed\nfull strength. In addition to ground teams, two water bombing\nhelicopters have been deployed to the location to conduct aerial\nfirefighting.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the government is maximising Weather Modification\nOperations (OMC), or artificial rain. This step was taken as monitoring\nshows potential rain clouds in the Bengkalis area that can be optimised\nto assist the natural extinguishing process.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo helicopters have been deployed to assist in extinguishing the\nfire in Bengkalis. We are also conducting OMC because there is potential\nfor rain clouds,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rainfall-helps-extinguish-several-forest-and-land-fire-hotspots-in-riau-1789203086", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }