Forestry Minister Visits South Kalimantan Forest Fire Sites, Firefighting Operations Strengthened

Forestry Minister Raja Antoni has directly inspected the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Penggalaman, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. Firefighting efforts in South Kalimantan are being strengthened with the deployment of ground troops and additional air operation support.

Minister Raja Antoni said the government continues to monitor the development of hotspots in several areas of South Kalimantan. Based on monitoring at 6.00 am on 23 August, there were still 44 hotspots spread across Banjar Regency, Banjarbaru City, South Hulu Sungai, and Tapin.

Previously, Sipongi data from the Ministry of Forestry showed the number of hotspots on 21 August reached 157 points, then fell to 11 points on the night of 22 August at 9.00 pm WIB. However, based on monitoring this morning at 6.00 am, the number rose again to 44 points.

“There are still, as of today, as of 6 am this morning, 44 hotspots in Banjar, Banjarbaru, HSS, and Tapin,” said Raja Antoni, quoted from his statement in South Kalimantan on Sunday (23/8).

To respond to the situation, Minister Raja Antoni said the handling will be directed according to the location of the hotspots. Operations are being carried out in an integrated manner involving Manggala Agni, the TNI, the National Police, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), as well as water bombing support from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

“God willing, we will coordinate how the ground troops, TNI, Police, Manggala Agni, BPBD and also water bombing are directed to places that really need it,” he said.

Strengthening of operations is also being carried out through the addition of one water bombing fleet that will arrive this afternoon (23/8). Minister Raja Antoni said BNPB will bring in one additional helicopter from Riau to help handle forest and land fires in South Kalimantan.

“We received information earlier from BNPB that there will be an additional water bombing unit, a helicopter taken from Riau, brought from Riau,” he said.

According to Raja Antoni, the diversion of support from Riau is being carried out because the forest and land fire conditions in that region are relatively more under control.

“Riau, thank God, the numbers are even lower, so we are borrowing temporarily from our colleagues for the addition of water bombing in South Kalimantan,” said the Minister.