BNPB reveals trigger for Klaten land fire spreading into forest

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has revealed that the main trigger of a land fire that spread to a Perhutani area in Klaten Regency, Central Java, was uncontrolled land-clearing activity.

Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday that the fire affected Gunung Gajah Village in Bayat District, with the total impacted area reaching approximately 3.5 hectares.

“The assessment found that the fire on the ground was caused by land clearing, so the flames could not be controlled and the land fire spread further,” he said.

Abdul Muhari explained that the flames began to creep and spread until they burned an area within Petak 98 E Perhutani Cawas BKPH Wonogiri on Monday (20 July) at around 11.30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated handling by joint officers in the field, he said, the fire was completely extinguished on the same day.

BNPB reminded the public not to use indiscriminate burning methods when opening or clearing land, especially in areas close to fire-prone forest zones.

“The public is also urged to report immediately to officers if they spot potential fire points, so that early handling can be carried out before the flames spread,” said Abdul Muhari.