Rokan Hilir Peatland Fire Expands, Consuming 50 Hectares

A peatland fire in Kepenghuluan Palika, Pasir Limau Kapas District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau, has expanded to approximately 50 hectares. Of the total burned area, only about 4 hectares have been successfully extinguished by the joint task force.

Before deploying ground crews to the affected sector in Rokan Hilir, officers first conducted aerial monitoring to map the direction of the fire’s spread. Upon arrival, the team performed a size-up using a drone to assess the conditions and distribution of hotspots, said Manggala Agni Daops Dumai Commander Alfarizi on Friday.

Based on the visual aerial monitoring results, a direct firefighting strategy was devised by dividing personnel into two groups to work on different sectors, aiming to suppress the fire’s spread. The ground firefighting operation relies on water supply from two canals, each two metres wide and 150 centimetres deep. Three Mini Striker machines, 25 delivery hose rolls, and water tanks were deployed to douse the smouldering peat underground.

Fire conditions in the Rokan Hilir area are reported to still be uncontrollable. Hotspots and thick smoke plumes continue to pose a potential for the fire to expand further. All joint personnel from Manggala Agni, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police, the Regional Disaster Management Agency, and the Fire Care Community will continue intensive firefighting operations until all hotspots are completely extinguished.