BNPB deploys joint task force to extinguish land fires in Sukoharjo

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that a joint team of officers has been deployed to extinguish land fires that have spread across three villages in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java.

Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, stated in Jakarta on Friday that the joint team was immediately deployed to contain the fire shortly after receiving reports of the incident, which has been ongoing since Tuesday (30/6).

“This event has impacted three villages: Weru Village in Polokatus, Plesan Village in Nguter, and Cemetuk Village in Tawangsari,” he said.

Abdul explained that the flames, which are burning dry vegetation in plantation areas, spread rapidly due to wind conditions, eventually spanning the boundaries of three different sub-districts.

There have been no reported casualties or injuries among local residents; however, the BNPB has received preliminary reports that the total area of burnt vegetation and dry land has reached six hectares.

Consequently, a joint team comprising the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI)/National Police (Polri) is continuing to struggle to localise the fire hotspots through ground-based water spraying at the affected sites to ensure the fire does not spread closer to residential settlements.

In addition to dousing remaining embers, field teams are conducting regular intensive monitoring and visual patrols of hotspots that are considered still vulnerable to reigniting.

BNPB has urged local government agencies to strengthen cross-agency coordination and regularly update regional fire vulnerability maps, following the increased potential for dry hydrometeorological disasters not only in Central Java but across most of Java.

According to Abdul, the BNPB also emphasised the importance of active community participation in avoiding land clearing through burning and reporting potential hazards to the nearest authorities immediately.