Forest and Land Fires Hit Five Regencies in West Java

Forest and land fires (karhutla) occurred in five regencies in West Java from Monday (27/7) evening until Tuesday (28/7). All were successfully extinguished after the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and other cross-sectoral assistance worked hard at the locations.

The West Java BPBD reported that karhutla occurred in Sukabumi Regency, Majalengka Regency, Garut Regency, Sumedang Regency, and Bandung Regency.

In Sukabumi, the fire struck Pasir Baru Village, Cisolok District. The fire occurred in the forest area of Mount H Biebie in Nelayan Hamlet, Pasir Baru Village.

In Majalengka, fires occurred in two locations, namely Majalengka Kulon Village, Majalengka District, and Cicenang Village, Cigasong District.

Another fire was reported in Garut Regency. The fire burned land in Cisitu Village, Malangbong District.

Another fire struck the Sumedang region. The fire burned the Gunung Batu area, a former Multimarindo site, in Pananjung Hamlet, Cinanjung Village, Tanjungsari District. The fire burned an area of approximately 3 hectares.

Fires also began to hit the Bandung Regency area. The fire burned land in Badaraksa Hamlet, Jelegong Village, Kutawaringin District. The fire scorched around 1 hectare of land often used for disposing of textile waste.

“The West Java BPBD urges the public to increase vigilance against the potential for forest and land fires which are starting to increase in the dry season. Avoid activities that can trigger fires, such as burning land or discarding cigarette butts carelessly,” said West Java BPBD spokesperson Hadi Rahmat.

If you see a fire hotspot, he continued, immediately report it to the authorities or the local BPBD so it can be dealt with as quickly as possible. “Prevention is the best step to protect the environment and collective safety,” he stressed.