BNPB: Pidie Jaya and Aceh Besar Deploy Fire Engines on Standby for Forest and Land Fires

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that the governments of Pidie Jaya Regency and Aceh Besar Regency in Aceh have placed water-cannon fire engines on standby to anticipate the spread of forest and land fires (karhutla).

Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre Abdul Muhari said in Jakarta on Thursday that the deployment and readiness of fire engines in the two areas of Aceh Province had proven effective in quickly localising hotspots.

“Two fire engines in Pidie Jaya, and three in Aceh Besar,” he said.

According to him, the readiness of the firefighting fleet and the rapid response of the joint teams in Pidie Jaya and Aceh Besar meant that the handling of forest and land fires could be carried out effectively until the flames were successfully extinguished.

At the same time, a land fire with an affected area of around three hectares also hit the Gampong Panca area, Lembah Seulawah District, Aceh Besar Regency.

“The current condition is that the fire has been successfully extinguished and the situation is safe and under control,” he said.

He urged the regional leadership coordination forum (forkopimda) in Aceh to continue increasing the readiness of personnel and firefighting fleets, given that the potential for forest and land fires remains relatively high during the dry season.