BPBD prioritises forest fire handling near Sampit Airport

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, has ensured that efforts to handle and extinguish forest and land fires (karhutla) are carried out swiftly and responsively, especially in the Baamang Hulu area, which is close to the airport. “The situation in Sampit city is somewhat risky. We consider these areas urgent to handle from the outset because they are near vital objects. We must not let airport activities be disrupted,” said Multazam, Chief Executive of BPBD Kotawaringin Timur, in Sampit on Monday. Based on BPBD data from recent years, the area has a high risk level when land fires occur. He stated that the total area of forest and land fires in Kotim recently is estimated to have reached around 11 hectares. This area is spread across North Mentaya Hilir District with approximately three hectares, Seranau District with around four hectares, and Baamang District with four hectares. He mentioned that a water-bombing helicopter is currently stationed at Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangka Raya and is expected to be deployed if conditions require it. “Meanwhile, the weather modification operation ended last Saturday because, according to information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), there is no longer any potential for rain clouds. Therefore, we strongly hope for public awareness not to clear land by burning,” Multazam said. Separately, the Head of the Haji Asan Sampit Airport Organising Unit Office, Abdul Haris, confirmed that flight activities have not been disrupted by the forest and land fires so far.