BNPB Coordinates Forest and Land Fire Suppression in East Belitung and West Bangka

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is coordinating the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) that have scorched a total of eight hectares of land in two regencies in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province.

The Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, reported in Jakarta on Monday that the forest and land fire incidents occurred simultaneously in East Belitung Regency (Beltim) and West Bangka Regency on Sunday.

He stated that the land fire, covering approximately three hectares, was first reported in Air Kelik Village, Damar District, East Belitung Regency, on Sunday afternoon. Abdul explained that the incident caused no casualties, while the exact cause of the fire spots remains under investigation by the authorities.

Shortly after receiving the report, the Regional Disaster Management Agency’s (BPBD) Rapid Response Team for Disaster Management in East Belitung deployed four personnel teams along with four portable pump machines to the location. In addition to suppression efforts, the joint team also carried out cooling down operations in the affected area to minimise the potential for subsequent fire spots.

On the same day, a forest and land fire also struck an area in Sungai Daeng Village, Muntok District, West Bangka Regency. The fire in West Bangka burned approximately five hectares of land before being fully extinguished by personnel from the West Bangka BPBD Rapid Response Team, the fire brigade, and local residents.

Abdul stated that the BNPB appreciates the reliable rapid response of the joint teams in both regions, who successfully contained the flames, preventing them from spreading to residential areas or community plantations. He confirmed that the joint teams are continuing cooling down operations and ensuring the safety of the locations from potential subsequent fire spots.