Joint personnel and water bombing helicopter deployed to extinguish peatland fires in Jambi
Jambi (ANTARA) - A total of 142 joint personnel and one water bombing helicopter have been deployed to assist in extinguishing forest and land fires (karhutla) in the Londerang Peat Protected Forest (HLG) area, Jambi.
“As of Friday (17/9), the handling of forest and land fires in Londerang has been strengthened with various firefighting facilities, such as PT Wirakarya Sakti (PT WKS), a business unit of APP Group, including a water bombing helicopter, heavy equipment, fire pumps, drones, and operational vehicles,” said the Head of Public Relations for PT WKS, Taufik Qurochman, in Jambi on Friday.
Firefighting efforts in the Londerang Peat Protected Forest have been ongoing since fire spots were first monitored on 27 August 2026. After six days of firefighting, the fire at that time was declared extinguished on 2 September 2026.
In the series of operations up to 17 September, the personnel involved came from various elements, including the PT WKS Fire Brigade (RPK), Manggala Agni, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Water Management teams, operators, drivers, and other field support units.
Taufik Qurochman stated that collaboration is a vital part of managing fires in peatland areas, which require continuous resource support and coordination.
The handling of forest and land fires in the Londerang Peat Protected Forest is a collective effort. Various elements are collaborating on firefighting, wetting the area, managing water sources, and monitoring the condition of the area.
“PT WKS supports these efforts by deploying personnel as well as the various facilities and equipment required in the field,” said Taufik.
To support the firefighting operations, PT WKS has deployed 12 units of heavy equipment, which are being used to assist in the creation and reinforcement of fire breaks and canal cleaning. The Water Management team is also managing water sources to support firefighting and wetting in the targeted areas.
Ground operations are bolstered by 24 units of various types of fire pumps, nine four-wheeled operational vehicles, 15 motorcycles, approximately 120 Sambunesia sets for cooling the peatland, and hundreds of rolls of fire hoses. Meanwhile, aerial monitoring of the area is supported by two drone units.
PT WKS has also deployed one water bombing helicopter to support aerial firefighting efforts. Ground and air operations are conducted in an integrated manner, taking into account developing field conditions, including wind direction, land characteristics, access to the location, and the availability of water sources.
“The characteristics of peatland require intensive and coordinated handling; therefore, the strengthening of ground operations, water source management, the use of heavy equipment, aerial monitoring, and water bombing are carried out in an integrated manner and continuously adjusted to the actual conditions in the field,” said Taufik.
The series of operations in the Londerang Peat Protected Forest also places the safety of personnel as the primary concern. Coordination between teams is ongoing to ensure that the division of tasks and the use of resources can proceed according to operational needs.
“The shared priority is how the fire can be handled as effectively as possible while ensuring the safety of all personnel. The collaboration of all elements is essential so that every available resource can be used optimally in accordance with the developing conditions in the field,” said Taufik.