Kapuas Regency Extends Forest and Land Fire Emergency Status Again

Palangka Raya (ANTARA) — The Kapuas Regency Government in Central Kalimantan has once again extended its emergency response status for drought and forest and land fires by two weeks, as the dry season continues and fires are still occurring in several areas.

Kapuas Regent Muhammad Wiyatno said in Kuala Kapuas on Tuesday that the extension followed an evaluation of drought and fire response efforts with relevant local authorities.

“We are extending the emergency response status for another two weeks. Hopefully, heavy rain will fall during that period so the fires can stop,” he said.

The decision was announced after an evaluation meeting on drought and fire response at the central emergency response post at the Kapuas Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) office.

Wiyatno said the status had been extended because rainfall remained insufficient while forest and land fires continued at several locations. The local government had also taken account of conditions on the ground and input from the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and other relevant parties.

The extension is expected to enable continued efforts to tackle the fires and the effects of drought, supported by coordination among agencies. The Kapuas Regency Government and its partners are also working to contain the fires so they do not spread or disrupt residents’ activities.

Wiyatno praised the cooperation of personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police, the BPBD, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Fire-aware Community (MPA) and residents involved in extinguishing fires across the region.

“The teams have shown outstanding solidarity in working together to put out the fires. As regional leader, I would like to thank them,” he said.

He hoped all disaster-response teams would maintain their cooperation throughout the emergency period so firefighting could be more effective while they waited for the weather to improve.

The evaluation meeting was also attended by Kapuas Deputy Regent Dodo, Kapuas Regional Secretary Usis I. Sangkai, the commander of Military District Command 1011/KLK, Kapuas BPBD executive head Pangeran S Pandiangan, several heads of local government agencies and other relevant parties.