South Kalimantan Aerial Task Force Deploys Three Helicopters to Tackle Forest Fires

The South Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire (Karhutla) Aerial Task Force is continuously strengthening its preparedness to face potential fires, particularly in the Ring 1 area of Syamsudin Noor International Airport, Banjarbaru, by stationing three helicopter units.

Ariansyah, Head of the Preparedness Sub-division of the Prevention and Preparedness Division of the South Kalimantan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), stated that there are currently four helicopters prepared to support aerial operations.

Of the three operational helicopters, two units will be stationed to handle forest and land fires within the Airport’s Ring 1 area. Meanwhile, one other unit is prepared to provide assistance should there be requests for handling outside of that region.

“This way, we can also assist areas in South Kalimantan outside of the Airport’s Ring 1, especially regions that cannot yet be reached by the Ground Task Force,” he explained.

Regarding the implementation of Weather Modification Operations (OMC), Ariansyah mentioned that there are currently no plans to resume the programme. This is based on information from the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency), which monitors the potential for rain cloud growth in South Kalimantan every morning.

“Based on information from BMKG every morning, there is currently no potential for rain clouds being monitored. Therefore, for the time being, there are no plans for OMC operations,” he said.

Nevertheless, preparations to resume OMC remain in place. Aircraft and supporting materials have been stationed at Syamsudin Noor Airport, so they can be activated immediately if BMKG detects atmospheric conditions that allow for the execution of such operations.

“We are maintaining our readiness. If rain cloud potential is later detected, we will reactivate or re-propose the weather modification operation,” Ariansyah added.