BNPB: 4.37-Hectare Land Fire in Bontang Successfully Extinguished

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that a forest and land fire (karhutla) covering 4.37 hectares in Bontang, East Kalimantan, has been fully extinguished by joint personnel.

Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, said in Jakarta on Friday that intensive extinguishing efforts were carried out immediately after the fire point was reported on Wednesday (15 July).

“The fire was successfully extinguished by joint personnel on Thursday (16 July),” he said.

Abdul explained that the karhutla incident, which scorched an area of dry vegetation, was located precisely in Satimpo sub-district, South Bontang district.

BNPB’s Directorate of Operations Control confirmed that the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation by law enforcement authorities.

He said that BNPB is urging communities in fire-prone areas to heighten their vigilance and refrain from activities that could trigger fires, such as burning rubbish or clearing land by burning, particularly in East Kalimantan, which the government has designated as one of six priority regions for karhutla management because it contains flammable vegetation such as peat mineral land.

This provision is stipulated in Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 3/2020 on Forest and Land Fire Management, which is based on integrated prevention and extinguishing measures.

“Communities are also expected to promptly report to the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) or local security authorities if they spot smoke plumes or fire points so that they can be dealt with swiftly before spreading,” he stressed.