Kubu Raya Regency to bolster readiness for forest and land fires amid extensive peatlands

Most of Kubu Raya Regency is peatland, which means the risk of fires is quite high. Therefore we must prepare ourselves early, both in terms of personnel readiness and equipment.

The Kubu Raya Regency Government, West Kalimantan, continues to pay attention to volunteers and firefighters who have long been involved in tackling forest and land fires (karhutla) in the region.

‘We are conveying this commitment in the karhutla readiness drill, attended by government fire services, private fire brigades (damkar swasta), volunteer firefighters, as well as personnel from the Indonesian Army (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (POLRI),’ said Regent Sujiwo as he led the karhutla readiness drill in the yard of the Regent’s Office on Friday. He was accompanied by Deputy Regent Sukiryanto.

He praised the volunteers and firefighters who have worked around the clock in facing karhutla.

According to him, the challenge of addressing karhutla in Kubu Raya is significant because much of the area is peatland with high fire potential, especially during the dry season.

He also highlighted Kubu Raya’s strategic position as a buffer to the provincial capital of West Kalimantan and its vital assets such as the airport, hospitals, and various important government offices. This condition, he said, makes prevention and response to karhutla a matter of serious concern.

In support of field personnel, the regency previously allocated more than Rp270 million when declaring the karhutla emergency status. The budget was used to provide honorariums to officers and volunteers.

Moreover, Regent Sujiwo called for an inventory of all firefighting equipment owned by the local government, the TNI, POLRI, and private damkar. This step aims to identify equipment that is no longer serviceable.

He added that the regional government would strive to engage various parties to help procure such equipment without overburdening the regional budget.

Regent Sujiwo also emphasised the importance of coordination and collaboration among all parties involved in tackling karhutla, including the local government, the TNI, POLRI, volunteers, and the community.

‘The collaboration that has been built up to date must be maintained. The government, TNI, POLRI, volunteers, and the community must remain united in preventing and handling karhutla,’ he said.