BNPB: Forest and Land Fires, Strong Winds in Situbondo Resolved

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that two natural disasters — forest and land fires (karhutla) and a strong wind phenomenon — in Situbondo Regency, East Java, have been successfully brought under control.

Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, said in Jakarta on Monday that the swift response of the joint team on the ground managed to minimise the damage caused by the two incidents.

“The land fires and the impacts of extreme weather in the form of strong winds in Situbondo have been promptly handled by the BPBD team together with the relevant agencies,” he said.

Abdul explained that the karhutla event struck the area of Balung Village, Kendit Subdistrict, Situbondo Regency, on Friday (24/7) at around 10.00 WIB in the morning.

BNPB’s Directorate of Operations Control confirmed that the fire point, which scorched two hectares of land, originated in a forest area managed by Perum Perhutani.

“The Situbondo Regency BPBD, together with a joint team comprising firefighting personnel, volunteers, and local residents, succeeded in fully extinguishing the flames on Saturday (25/7) at 14.00 WIB,” he said.

In addition to the karhutla, he added that the strong wind phenomenon also swept through a residential area in Tanjung Pecinaan Village, Situbondo Regency, on Friday (24/7) at 12.00 WIB.

The strong wind disaster affected six households (KK) and caused six homes to suffer light damage, which is currently still being repaired by the local regional government.

“The latest condition reported on Saturday (25/7) is that the damage to residents’ homes is still being handled,” said Abdul.