BPBD Aceh Barat Intensifies Forest and Land Fire Suppression Across Four Subdistricts

The Aceh Barat Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is continuing to intensify efforts to extinguish forest and land fires (karhutla) that have affected four subdistricts in the region. The total area burned has so far reached 12.5 hectares.

Acting Head of the Aceh Barat BPBD, Teuku Ronal, stated that joint teams remain in the field to bring the situation under control. "We, together with the joint team, are still working to extinguish the fires," he said in Meulaboh on Saturday (25/7).

He explained that containment and suppression operations are currently prioritised in the most vulnerable locations, particularly in the Samatiga and Johan Pahlawan subdistricts. During the period of 24-25 July 2026, the team continued intensive operations in Lapang Village, Johan Pahlawan Subdistrict.

The firefighting teams are facing significant challenges, including limited water sources near the fire sites and strong winds that are accelerating the spread of flames to wider areas. Despite these obstacles, the operation continues through the synergy of multiple agencies, involving personnel from the Aceh Barat BPBD, local fire stations in Meureubo, Woyla, and Arongan, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), local communities, and volunteers from the Teuku Umar University Student Activity Unit (UKM).