BNPB Confirms Forest Fire in North Toraja Has Been Extinguished

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that a forest and land fire in North Toraja regency, South Sulawesi, has been extinguished.

“Both affected villages, Rangri and Ratte, are now free of fire,” said Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, during a live BNPB broadcast on Wednesday (28 October).

The fire in North Toraja burned hundreds of coffins at Liang Pongtimban. Berton confirmed the incident, saying it took place on Saturday (24 October).

“We would like to clarify that the incident occurred on 24 October and the fire was extinguished more than 16 hours after it started,” Berton said.

Reports said the fire burned around seven hectares. Berton said it affected Lembang Rangri and Lembang Ratte, and that stone graves near the site also caught fire.

He stressed that the latest situation was that the fire had been extinguished. The response was carried out by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the fire service and local residents.

“The stone graves that were also affected are now free of fire,” he said.

The stone burial site is known as Liang Pongtimban and is used by local residents to store coffins. More specifically, it is a traditional cemetery comprising cavities in a rock cliff, with each cavity generally used to hold the coffins of members of an extended family.