BNPB: Forest and Land Fires Continue to Affect Two Regencies in Aceh

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported on Wednesday that forest and land fires (karhutla) have continued to affect at least two regencies in Aceh Province over recent days.

Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, stated in Jakarta that the latest incidents were reported within the administrative areas of Aceh Singkil and East Aceh regencies. He noted that the fires were successfully extinguished on Tuesday (2/6) through a collaborative effort between the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and other relevant agencies.

According to Abdul, the fire in Aceh Singkil affected one hectare of land in Kampung Baru Village, North Singkil District, on Monday (1/6) afternoon. Meanwhile, a fire in East Aceh Regency reportedly burnt one hectare of dry land in the Gampong Tumpok Teungoh area, Julok District, on Sunday (31/5).

During the mitigation operation in East Aceh, a joint inter-agency team deployed at least three fire engine units to the ignition points to localise the spread and achieve total suppression.

In response to the increasing frequency of forest and land fires at the start of the dry season, Abdul revealed that the BNPB has requested local governments to tighten supervision through regular patrols and to station personnel and firefighting equipment in high-risk zones. Additionally, the BPBD has been instructed to actively educate the public against clearing land through burning and to avoid managing waste near dry vegetation to prevent the risk of widespread fires.