Prabowo: Land Fire Extinguishing More Effective via Ground Operations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto stated that the extinguishing of forest and land fires (karhutla) by ground-based officers is more effective in putting out flames compared to efforts carried out through other methods.

“Despite all the various helicopters, the most effective remains the officers on the ground,” said Prabowo while inviting several experts and academics to discuss peatland management and the potential for land fires at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, as reported via official broadcasts from the Presidential Secretariat on Friday.

Prabowo noted that these reports serve as material for government evaluation in preparing land fire mitigation steps, including in forested areas containing peatlands.

The President requested that experts provide input regarding the steps the government needs to take to prevent land fires, including physical mitigation and peatland area management.

“Regarding physical mitigation, we are implementing it. Firefighters must be ready; well before a fire occurs, we must create reservoirs, reservoirs, reservoirs. Before a fire starts, we create pumps, pumps, pumps—prepare all of that,” said Prabowo.

According to Prabowo, the readiness of personnel and firefighting facilities must be established before fires occur.

The Head of State also requested scientific solutions to prevent fires in peatland areas.

During the meeting, Prabowo also asked experts to provide advice regarding the potential use of peatlands for productive activities, including crops that can be cultivated on such land.