Forest and Land Fires in West Aceh Expand to 34.1 Hectares

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Aceh Regency has recorded that the forest and land fire disaster in the region had expanded to 34.1 hectares by Thursday afternoon (11/4). Previously, on Thursday morning, the burned area was still at 31.1 hectares.

“As of this afternoon, the total area affected by forest and land fires has reached 34.1 hectares. The worst-affected area is in Bubon District, with a total of 25 hectares burned,” said Teuku Ronal, Acting Head of the West Aceh BPBD, to reporters in Meulaboh on Thursday.

He stated that the largest fire hotspots are in Bubon District, followed by Samatiga, Meureubo, Johan Pahlawan, and Arongan Lambalek Districts. In Samatiga District, Cot Seumeureung village has seen 4 hectares burned, Meureubo District has 2.6 hectares affected across Ujong Tanoh Darat village at two separate points of 1.6 hectares and 1 hectare. In Johan Pahlawan District, around 1.5 hectares have burned, covering Lapang village (1 hectare) and Seuneubok village (0.5 hectares), alongside Gunong Pulo village in Arongan Lambalek District (1 hectare).

Teuku Ronal explained that hotspots were detected gradually from late May through the Lancang Kuning application, SiPongi+, and direct reports from the public. In response, a joint team moved swiftly to handle the situation on the ground and from the air. On Thursday (11/6), the team focused on monitoring patrols in Bubon District and intensive handling in Cot Seumeureung village, Samatiga District.

To accelerate extinguishing efforts in hard-to-reach areas, weather modification operations by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) have been conducted from 3 to 10 June 2026. Water bombing using a BNPB helicopter has also been deployed since 7 June. Teuku Ronal said the firefighting operation involves various elements, including the West Aceh BPBD, West Aceh Military District Command, West Aceh Police, Woyla Fire Station, local military and police sub-district commands, Forest Management Unit IV, the Firefighter Student Activity Unit of Teuku Umar University, and local residents. “The joint team will remain on standby at the location until all hotspots are completely extinguished,” he said.