Prabowo welcomes reduction in South Sumatra forest fire hotspots
President Prabowo Subianto has expressed appreciation for the reduction in forest and land fire hotspots in South Sumatra Province.
During a forest and land fire handling meeting in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Monday, President Prabowo said the decline in hotspots was inseparable from the hard work of all ranks in tackling forest and land fires since the beginning of the year.
“So, we are anticipatory about these hotspot points, thank God they have decreased. I think it is also because you have all worked hard since the start of the year. Thank you,” Prabowo said, monitored online in Jakarta on Monday.
President Prabowo said the government would continue to deploy the assistance needed to ensure that forest and land fire handling runs optimally.
According to Prabowo, vigilance remains necessary given that the potential for drought is still ongoing.
On that occasion, Army Chief of Staff General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak reported that the area of land still burning in South Sumatra currently stands at around 199 hectares.
That figure is far smaller than the total area of land affected by forest and land fires since May, which reached around 1,900 hectares.
Upon hearing the report, President Prabowo said the five water-bombing helicopters currently available were sufficient to help finish off the remaining burning areas.
“So, only 200 hectares are burning. So, do we still need additional helicopters then?” the President said.
With that capability, the five helicopters can drop around 1,200 tonnes of water per day.
“One thousand two hundred tonnes. Only 200 hectares, that can be done in three days. So, three consecutive days,” the President said.
Based on that calculation, Prabowo asked that additional water-bombing helicopters be held back for the time being.
However, Prabowo reminded all ranks to remain vigilant because new fire spots can still emerge every day.
The Head of State then asked TNI and Polri ranks to strengthen prevention measures through patrols.
The President also asked about the readiness to use drones to monitor hotspots and fire spots in the South Sumatra region.
“Later, all those teams are for prevention, yes. Regional military commander, regional police chief, yes, patrol. Do we have drones here? For air patrols of hotspots and fire spots?” President Prabowo said.
The President also encouraged long-term anticipatory efforts by adding retention basins and canals in productive peatland areas.
Prabowo asked the National Research and Innovation Agency to also study the use of these retention basins so that they do not only function as water reserves, but can also provide other benefits, such as for fish farming.