Forest and Land Fires Rage Across Multiple Regencies in Riau
Forest and land fires are raging across several areas in Riau. Firefighting teams from Manggala Agni are currently battling blazes in Pelalawan, Bengkalis, and Rokan Hilir (Rohil).
"In the Sokoi area, Pelalawan, two Manggala Agni teams from the Rengat Operations Unit are still conducting firefighting operations, now in their sixth day," said Ferdian Krisnanto, Head of the Sumatra Forest Fire Control Centre, on Thursday.
He explained that in the Rantau Bais area of Rohil, two teams from the Dumai Operations Unit were continuing containment efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to a wider area. "In Rantau Bais, containment is still underway to prevent the flames from spreading to acacia plantations and community farms," he stated.
Meanwhile, in the Kandis area of Siak Regency, a fire that had previously been tackled has been successfully extinguished. "The Kandis area was completely extinguished yesterday afternoon," he added.
On Rupat Island, Bengkalis Regency, firefighting operations have entered their second day. Manggala Agni teams from the Siak Operations Unit remain on the ground and will be reinforced with additional personnel. "For Tanjung Kapal, Rupat, we are now on the second day of operations. The team from the Siak Daops is handling it, and another team from Siak is planned to be deployed this afternoon," he clarified.
In addition, Manggala Agni teams are also tackling fires in the Kepenghuluan Sungai Besar area, Pekaitan District, Rohil Regency. This location was previously detected during an aerial patrol and confirmed after a ground check to be in Pekaitan District. "The Kepenghuluan Sungai Besar, Pekaitan, Rohil area is currently being handled by one Manggala Agni team from the Dumai Operations Unit," he said.
To strengthen firefighting operations, the Sumatra Forest Fire Control Centre has also brought in additional personnel from outside Riau Province. Two Manggala Agni squads from Jambi Province have been dispatched to the fire location on Rupat Island. "The mobilisation of two squads from Jambi Province, namely from the Muara Tebo and Jambi City Operations Units, departed this morning and will be stationed at Tanjung Kapal, Rupat," he stated.
Furthermore, Manggala Agni teams from Pekanbaru and Rengat have been prepared to move towards Rokan Hilir if needed. Meanwhile, a team from the South Labuhan Batu Operations Unit in North Sumatra is also on standby. "Manggala Agni teams from Pekanbaru and Rengat are ready to move towards Rohil. The South Labuhan Batu Manggala Agni team is also standing by and ready to move to Rohil if required after today’s midday evaluation," he said.
In efforts to control the forest and land fires on Rupat Island, aerial firefighting support has also been deployed. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has deployed water-bombing helicopters to help extinguish hotspots that are difficult to reach from land. "BNPB water-bombing support is being conducted on Rupat. In addition, ground teams from various agencies are also assisting at several fire locations," he noted.
He expressed hope that all efforts being made could accelerate the control of fires in the affected areas and prevent their spread into plantation zones or residential settlements. "We seek support and prayers from all parties so that the extinguishing process runs smoothly and all hotspots can be brought under control quickly," he concluded.