Beware of Forest and Land Fires in Sukabumi, 2,000 Square Metres of Land Burnt
Forest and land fires, or karhutla, are beginning to threaten Sukabumi Regency in West Java. In Cireunghas District, a forest fire was reported on approximately 2,000 square metres of land.
According to information from the local Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the forest and land fire occurred in Kampung Lio, Cireunghas Village/District, on Wednesday (18/3) around 11:00 WIB. It is suspected that the fire was triggered by high air temperatures, causing sparks in the underbrush.
The Manager of the BPBD Sukabumi Regency Operations Control Centre, Daeng Sutisna, stated that the exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. However, it is likely triggered by the high air temperatures reaching above 30 degrees Celsius.
“On Wednesday, the weather was indeed very hot. This condition is what we suspect to be the cause,” said Daeng on Thursday (19/3).
The location of the forest and land fire is near the Lio-Tegalpanjang road section. Daeng mentioned that the flames were prevented from spreading early on.
“Local residents took the initiative to extinguish the fire with whatever tools they had. Alhamdulillah, the fire did not spread. But around 2,000 square metres of land was burnt,” he revealed.
There were no fatalities or injuries in the incident. The BPBD has urged the public to remain vigilant with the current weather conditions, which are predicted to soon enter the dry season.
“Currently, we are in a transitional period of weather change from the rainy to the dry season. The heat is extraordinarily extreme. Stay alert to the current weather conditions,” said Daeng.
In a different location, the BPBD received a report of a residential fire in Kampung Selabintana Kulon RT 03/02, Sudajayagirang Village, Sukabumi District/Regency, on Thursday (19/3) in the early hours around 03:10 WIB. As a result of the incident, at least six local residents’ houses were engulfed in flames.
“The trigger for the fire is suspected to be an electrical short-circuit from the kitchen of one of the houses,” said Daeng.
The fire then quickly spread to other residents’ buildings because they were adjacent. Extinguishing efforts were carried out by firefighters who deployed eight units of vehicles assisted from Sukabumi City.
“The fire was successfully extinguished around 05:00 WIB,” he added.
There were no fatalities in the incident. However, one resident was reported to have sustained minor injuries.
Now, 22 souls from the six houses have been temporarily evacuated to the local RT head’s house. Meanwhile, the estimated material losses are up to Rp300 million.