Forest and Land Fires in West Aceh Spread to 31.1 Hectares Across Five Districts

The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of West Aceh Regency has recorded that forest and land fires (karhutla) occurring in several districts have now expanded to 31.1 hectares, up from the previous figure of 29.1 hectares. “The total area of burned land has now reached approximately 31.1 hectares, spread across five districts,” said Acting Head of West Aceh BPBD Teuku Ronal Nehdiansyah to reporters in Meulaboh on Thursday. He explained that the total land affected by the fires in Bubon District includes Berawang Village (15 hectares) and Kuta Padang Layung Village (10 hectares). In Johan Pahlawan District, the fires affected Lapang Village (one hectare) and Seunebok Village (0.5 hectares). Meanwhile, in Meureubo District, the fires hit Ujong Tanoh Darat Village at two points: point I covering 1.6 hectares and point II covering one hectare. He said efforts to extinguish the forest and land fires in West Aceh Regency are ongoing, carried out by joint teams both on land and by air, with the hope that all flames can be fully extinguished. However, Teuku Ronal did not deny the obstacles faced by the joint team in the field, including damaged vegetation that triggers thick smoke, disrupting the team’s breathing and reducing visibility. To support the smooth operation, BPBD together with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and related agencies have deployed various facilities and infrastructure, including one BNPB water-bombing helicopter, two double-cabin vehicles, one Panther pick-up truck, one trail motorbike, one unit of fleet 014, as well as three BPBD water pump engines and one pump engine from community self-help. Teuku Ronal noted that the operation involves joint personnel from West Aceh BPBD, the West Aceh Military District Command, West Aceh Police, the Woyla Fire Station, local Military Sub-district Commands and Police Sectors, Forest Management Unit IV, UTU University’s SME unit, and local village communities.