Kubu Raya BPBD Prioritises Protection of Residential Areas as Forest Fires Rage for 12 Days
The Kubu Raya Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in West Kalimantan is now prioritising the protection of residential areas from the threat of forest and land fires (karhutla). Efforts are focused on a hotspot that has been burning for 12 days behind the Arwana Indah Complex in Sungai Raya District.
The Head of the Firefighting, Rescue, and Facilities Division at the Kubu Raya BPBD, Sulistiono, stressed that the safety of residents is the main urgency given the fire’s close proximity to people’s homes.
“We have an obligation to secure residents’ houses because the fire was threatening the settlement at a distance of about one and a half metres. That is our priority,” Sulistiono said in Sungai Raya on Thursday.
Sulistiono explained that the fire in the area had previously been declared extinguished but reignited, forcing officers to conduct repeat firefighting operations. To date, the burned area behind the Arwana Indah Complex is estimated to have exceeded 10 hectares and has the potential to expand further as firefighting efforts continue.
In addition to threatening settlements, the fire location is a serious concern because it is only about 1.7 kilometres from Supadio Airport. The potential impact of smoke is considered likely to disrupt flight activities if not brought under control immediately.
Another hotspot of concern is located near SMP Negeri 12 and SD Negeri 5 in Limbung Village, Sungai Raya District, which also covers a significantly burned area.
During the firefighting process, teams on the ground face the main obstacle of limited water sources. The Kubu Raya BPBD is currently relying on cross-sector collaboration, involving Manggala Agni, the Forest Management Unit (KPH), the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), and volunteer firefighters.
Sulistiono also revealed that personnel are beginning to suffer from physical exhaustion. The officers have been tackling forest and land fires in various locations for nearly a month, including 12 consecutive days in the Arwana Indah Complex.
The BPBD has expressed appreciation for the support in the form of medicines and vitamins from the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) to maintain the stamina of the personnel. Sulistiono hopes that support from the local government and stakeholders will continue to be strengthened, both in terms of logistics, equipment, and health services, so that forest and land fire management during the dry season can run optimally.