Forestry Minister pledges additional hydrant wells to prevent recurring forest and land fires
East Tanjung Jabung, Jambi (ANTARA) - Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has confirmed the addition of hydrant well facilities and infrastructure to anticipate recurring forest and land fires (karhutla) in peatland areas.
“So the hydrant wells relatively have a water source available, later we will add hoses and maintenance. The addition of wells, we will execute later,” said Minister Raja Juli in Jambi on Tuesday.
A hydrant well is a water reservoir used specifically for firefighting purposes when a fire occurs at a location.
According to him, the existence of hydrant wells built through the Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) programme is considered quite strategic, creating a water supply that can be used when fires occur.
“Previously the hydrant wells were the work of the former BRGM for water sources, because it was already predicted that fires would occur,” he said.
This includes strengthening personnel on the ground by deploying 500 personnel from the local Forestry Service.
Minister Raja Juli believes that collaborative work by all parties and the involvement of communities at the grassroots level in providing information are key to minimising the danger of forest and land fires.
“The peatland is four metres deep, moreover this borders a protected peat forest covering 17 thousand hectares. So I ask once again for the cooperation of the entire community so that this kind of incident does not occur elsewhere,” said the Minister.
In the presence of the Minister, the Chairman of the Fire Care Community Group of Pandan Sejahtera Village, Geragai District, East Tanjung Jabung Regency, Sarwo, explained that the fire in the area could be controlled thanks to the existence of 23 active hydrant wells.
“This is the third day of the fire, Mr Minister, the fire has been controlled thanks to the participation of officers. Fortunately it could be controlled and did not spread to the protected forest, the distance is only one kilometre,” said Sarwo.
Deputy Regent of East Tanjung Jabung Muslimin Tanja revealed that during the period from January to August the number of hotspots reached 135 points. The highest number of hotspots occurred during August, with 53 hotspots recorded.
As a result of the dry season, the area of burned land has reached 108 hectares, all within peatland areas.
“Of the 514 thousand hectares of land area in East Tanjung Jabung, 56 percent is peatland, which is very vulnerable. The presence of the Minister is expected to be a motivation that the government’s attention is truly present,” he said.