Forestry Minister ensures readiness for forest fires during El Niño peak in September
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Ascarya, stated that the government remains on high alert to face the potential for forest and land fires (karhutla) as El Niño reaches its peak in September, including intensifying weather modification operations (OMC) across six priority provinces.
During a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, Minister Raja Juli Antoni noted a downward trend in hotspots in the six priority provinces at the end of August, though the government continues to anticipate fire risks given that the peak of El Niño is expected in September.
“This has decreased significantly due to many contributing factors. On the ground, our teams are working hard, weather modification operations are moving, and water bombing is being deployed. However, in terms of nature, we have not yet escaped the threat of El Niño. We are not yet safe from the forest fires during this El Niño period. I stated earlier that this September will be a month of struggle; it is our field of struggle,” said the Minister.
He explained that heightened vigilance is necessary, as the peak of the El Niño climate phenomenon, which causes extreme drought in Indonesia, is predicted to occur in September.
“However, if there is an opportunity for rain where fires occur, we will conduct weather modification. I have also coordinated recently in Riau, South Sumatra, and West Kalimantan with Air Force Commanders and Airport Heads to permit OMC aircraft to fly even until midnight, provided there is potential for rain clouds,” he added.
Furthermore, land wetting and aerial firefighting via water bombing continue, supported by several countries, including Japan, which is providing three helicopters to assist Indonesia’s forest fire management operations.
The Minister also confirmed that, following instructions from President Prabowo Subianto, the expansion of boreholes and canal blocking to ensure the moisture of peatlands is being carried out. Additionally, more equipment has been provided for field officers.
“Once again, from a technical standpoint, God willing, what is requested by regional teams is being met. However, the reality on the ground is that water sources remain a constraint. Although boreholes have arrived, plans for canal blocking and fire breaks are still being implemented. The primary issue remains the availability of water sources,” he said.
Limited water sources pose a significant challenge to firefighting efforts, which is why continuous wetting efforts are being directed at the fire fronts.
“Therefore, we have deployed water bombing to chase the edges of the fire, attempting to dampen the perimeter,” concluded Raja Juli Antoni.