BPBD: 29.1 Hectares of Land Burnt in West Aceh

The West Aceh Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has recorded that 29.1 hectares of peatland and community plantations in the local area have been burnt.

“Extinguishing efforts are still ongoing, with the hope that the flames can be controlled soon,” said the Acting Head of the West Aceh BPBD, Teuku Ronal, to journalists in Meulaboh on Monday night.

Based on data collected by the West Aceh BPBD, the fires are spread across four sub-districts: Bubon District, including Berawang Village (15 ha) and Kuta Padang Layung (10 ha); Johan Pahlawan District, including Lapang Village (1 ha) and Seuneubok (0.5 ha); Arongan Lambalek District, including Gunung Pulo Village (1 ha); and Meureubo District, including Ujong Tanoh Darat Village (1.6 ha).

He stated that although joint teams have been deployed, the flames around the locations remain difficult to extinguish because strong winds are hindering firefighting efforts, accelerating the spread of the fire, and triggering new hotspots. Thick smoke has also limited visibility for officers, while road access has made it difficult for four-wheel vehicles and firefighting fleets to reach the primary fire points.

The joint task force working to extinguish the fires in West Aceh includes personnel from the West Aceh BPBD, the 0105 Aceh Barat Military Command (Kodim), the West Aceh Police, the Woyla Fire Station, Koramil, Polsek, KPH IV Aceh Region, students from UKM PK UTU Meulaboh, and local residents.

The West Aceh BPBD has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any indications of new fire hotspots in their areas immediately so that they can be anticipated early.