Forest Fires Worsen, Government Opens Option to Close Schools
The government is opening the option to close schools in areas affected by forest and land fires (karhutla) if smoke conditions are deemed hazardous to health. State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi stressed that this policy is situational and adjusted to the actual conditions in each region.
“Yes, of course, we will look at the situation. Including, not only school children,” Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/8).
Prasetyo explained that coordination regarding adjustments to teaching and learning activities has been carried out with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK). The central government is giving local authorities the flexibility to take tactical steps if the situation on the ground requires a temporary halt to school activities.
This tactical policy has previously been applied in other sectors, such as the operational closure of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park due to fires. Prasetyo emphasised that permission is granted to those who best understand field conditions so that handling the impact of forest and land fires can run effectively.
To date, the central government continues to monitor developments in the regions. “We are monitoring, none have closed yet. We will try to check with the Coordinating Minister and the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education,” Prasetyo added regarding the current status of school activities in forest fire red zones.
On the other hand, the government is ensuring that logistical and administrative support for firefighting is not hampered. The main challenge at present is the El Niño phenomenon, which is triggering extreme dry weather, as seen in the Bromo area where fire hotspots remain difficult to extinguish.
The government is also urging the public to be proactive in preventing new fire hotspots by not discarding cigarette butts carelessly or clearing land by burning. Cooperation between the TNI, Polri, volunteers, and the community is expected to accelerate the control of forest and land fires in various regions.