Fire Spots Spread in Kalimantan, IKN Discusses Water Bombing Targets

Five locations within the buffer zones of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan Province have been targeted for aerial wetting via water bombing to tackle forest and land fires (karhutla).

“The first location is the Bukit Tengkorak area, which is part of the Bukit Soeharto Forest Park (Tahura),” said Myrna A. Safitri, Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources at the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN), when confirmed in Penajam on Saturday (5/9).

Myrna added that the next operational targets are located along the area from Bukit Merdeka to Teluk Dalam on the Samarinda-Balikpapan axis.

Wetting efforts are also directed towards the Wonotirto area towards Tanjung Harapan, which consists of peat swamp areas that are currently in a drying condition.

According to her, all target areas possess mixed vegetation characteristics with hilly terrain contours.

“This geographical condition makes aerial firefighting a far more effective and safer option than deploying ground personnel via pedestrian routes,” Myund explained.

In a separate statement, Danis H. Sumadilaga, Special Staff to the Head of OIKN for Construction Management and Strategy, explained that OIKN is working in synergy with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) to execute these forest fire operations.

This tactical operation was launched after recent monitoring showed a significant increase in fire risks across several buffer zones of the new capital.

For this operation, the Indonesian Air Force has deployed one Caracal Helicopter unit from the Dhomber Air Base in Balikpapan as the primary firefighting fleet. The helicopter is equipped with a ‘bambi bucket’ capable of carrying two tonnes, or approximately 2,000 litres of water, per flight.

“This operation is intended not only to extinguish hotspots but also to wet areas that are at risk of catching fire,” said Danis.

He added that land wetting is a crucial step to suppress the risk of fire spread, particularly amidst the frequently fluctuating wind conditions in the field.

OIKN has ensured that the monitoring of fire-prone areas will continue intensively throughout this high-risk dry season period. Data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and periodic reports from field officers will serve as the primary basis for determining the coordinates of subsequent wetting areas, especially if wind conditions and daily temperatures show increased risk indicators.