Joint Task Force Tackles 5.3-Hectare Land Fire in Banjar

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that a joint task force is intensifying efforts to tackle forest and land fires (karhutla) that have scorched approximately 5.3 hectares of open area in Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, stated in Jakarta on Monday that the karhutla incidents occurred simultaneously, affecting two village areas in the regency since Saturday (20/6).

“The Banjar Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) together with a joint task force from various emergency response units was immediately deployed to the affected locations to extinguish and localise the hotspots,” he said.

Abdul explained that based on rapid assessment results from disaster instruments in the field, the flames burned land vegetation spread across Cintapuri Darussalam District and Martapura District.

The details of the affected area include two hectares of land in Simpang Lima Village, Cintapuri Darussalam District, and 3.3 hectares of land in Pesayangan Village, Martapura District.

“The hotspot in Simpang Lima Village has been completely extinguished. However, the land in the Pesayangan Village area is still in the process of being extinguished,” he stated.

In relation to the increasing potential for karhutla as the dry season sets in, BNPB has urged regional authorities and communities in South Kalimantan to strengthen emergency surveillance, and to avoid all forms of land clearing activities using fire.