BNPB: Japanese Helicopter in West Kalimantan, But Not Yet Operating Due to Low Visibility
BNPB has explained the latest situation regarding the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in various regions. BNPB also stated that low visibility means the Japanese assistance helicopter cannot yet operate to extinguish the fires.
“We can convey the general situation of karhutla control: the operational strategy for extinguishing the fires is being carried out on a massive and measured scale in the field. We are also prioritising ground task forces, effectively supported by air task forces for more optimal results,” said Berton SP Panjaitan, Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre at BNPB, during a press conference broadcast on BNPB’s YouTube channel on Tuesday (15 September).
He said there were 19 new fire spots covering 261.5 hectares on 14 September in West Kalimantan. He noted that joint teams had extinguished 180.8 hectares, leaving approximately 80.7 hectares of burnt land.
He said light to heavy rain fell in parts of Sambas, Sintang, Bengkayang, Singkawang and Sekadau. Even so, visibility conditions in several areas such as Pontianak, Mempawah and Singkawang remained below 1 km, and air quality was still hazardous.
The low visibility means the Japanese side cannot yet operate the Chinook helicopter assistance to extinguish the fires. He said Japan would operate the helicopter once visibility reaches about 3.5 km.
“The Japanese helicopter assistance has now arrived in West Kalimantan, but cannot yet be operated because visibility is very low, and the Japanese side will carry out operations when visibility is between 3,500 and 5,000 metres,” said Berton.
He said 14,759 ground task force personnel had been deployed to extinguish fires in West Kalimantan. In addition, weather modification operations and water bombing continue to be carried out.
The following is the karhutla situation in other regions, as conveyed by Berton as of 15 September:
Central Kalimantan
56 new fire spots covering 189.6 hectares
75.9 hectares extinguished
113.7 hectares still being extinguished
South Kalimantan
40 new fire spots covering 210.44 hectares
136.46 hectares extinguished
73.98 hectares still being extinguished
East Kalimantan
20 new fire spots covering 701.27 hectares
381.32 hectares extinguished
319.95 hectares still being extinguished
South Sumatra
20 new fire spots covering 404.22 hectares
319.97 hectares extinguished
84.25 hectares still being extinguished
Jambi
22 new fire spots covering 44.5 hectares
34.5 hectares extinguished
10 hectares still being extinguished
Riau
17 new fire spots covering 46.93 hectares
25.13 hectares extinguished
21.8 hectares still being extinguished.