Forest and Land Fires in West Aceh Spread to Six Districts, Consuming 21 Hectares

Forest and land fires in West Aceh Regency have spread to six districts. Despite firefighting efforts by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and volunteers alongside local residents, flames continue to spread across various areas due to extremely dry conditions. The total area of forest, land, and oil palm plantations affected has reached approximately 21 hectares. The source of the fire or the initial cause of the blaze remains unknown.

According to Media Indonesia’s investigation on Monday (3/8), the six affected districts are Meureubo, Samatiga, Johan Pahlawan, Woyla Barat, Bubon, and Arongan Lambalek. Firefighting operations are facing serious challenges from strong winds and limited water sources, although some hotspots have been successfully extinguished.

Teuku Ronald Neh Diansyah, Head of the West Aceh BPBD, stated that teams are continuing various efforts to extinguish the remaining active hotspots. A team from the BNPB is also assisting with firefighting operations, particularly to prevent the flames from spreading to residential areas. Several personnel from the central agency are providing support by operating thermal drones to monitor hotspots from the air, facilitating more effective water bombing operations.

The massive fires have produced thick smoke, disrupting community activities and significantly reducing visibility for motorists on the main roads around Meulaboh, the capital of West Aceh Regency, especially at night.