15 Hectares of Oil Palm Plantation in Cikelet, Garut, Engulfed by Fire

Joint personnel from the Cikelet Police, the Military Sub-district Command (Koramil), and the Garut Regency Fire Department battled a land fire in the oil palm plantation area belonging to PT Condong. The incident scorched at least 15 hectares of the company’s Cultivation Rights Title (HGU) land.

The fire occurred specifically in the Afdeling Gataga Area, Cicalung Datar Kolasi Block, Tarisi Hamlet, Cigadog Village, Cikelet District, Garut Regency. Cikelet Police Chief, Iptu Aktas Komalsyah, confirmed that his office received an initial report from the Head of the Afdeling Gataga regarding the emergence of a hotspot at the location.

“Based on the testimony of witnesses, namely the Head of Afdeling Gataga, Ridwan, along with PT Condong Garut’s Public Relations officer, Uu, the fire appeared suddenly from an unknown direction. The flames were then fanned by strong winds, causing them to spread rapidly and burn an area of 15 hectares,” said Iptu Aktas Komalsyah on Friday (24/7).

In the firefighting effort, three fire engines from the Garut Regency Government were deployed to the location, assisted by two fire engines belonging to the company. The extinguishing process also involved TNI personnel (Babinsa) and local residents who used manual tools to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other land.

Iptu Aktas added that although the fire has been successfully extinguished, the police are still conducting an intensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Officers are exploring various possibilities, ranging from human negligence to natural factors.

“The police are investigating whether there is any indication of intentional burning, a cigarette butt, or natural factors such as friction between dry reeds causing sparks,” he explained.

The company is currently still collecting data on the total material losses incurred. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the incident. The police have urged residents around the plantation area to increase their vigilance, especially by not burning rubbish or engaging in other activities that risk triggering land fires during the dry season.