South Kalimantan Forestry Service deploys 150 personnel to prevent forest fires in protected forest

The South Kalimantan Forestry Service has deployed 150 personnel supported by six heavy equipment units to strengthen prevention and handling of forest and land fires so that they do not spread into the Liang Anggang protected forest area.

“All available personnel and equipment are being optimised for patrols, prevention, suppression, and control of forest and land fires so that every hotspot can be addressed immediately before it develops and expands, and does not spread into the protected forest,” said Head of the South Kalimantan Forestry Service Fathimatuzzahra during a Coordination Meeting on Forest and Land Fire Handling in Banjarmasin on Tuesday.

She said the six heavy equipment units for handling forest and land fires in the protected forest consist of two long arm units, one amphibious excavator unit, and three PC 135 units, intended to reinforce the 150 personnel in supporting field operations as needed according to the division of forest and land fire handling areas.

As coordinator for forest and land fire handling in the Liang Anggang protected forest area and its surroundings, the South Kalimantan Forestry Service is supported by resources from the Social Service, the South Kalimantan Regional Police, and the Main Naval Base of Banjarmasin.

She emphasised that strengthening personnel, equipment, patrols, and field coordination is an important part of ensuring all available resources can be used optimally in facing the threat of forest and land fires in the area.

“We are synergising with all elements involved and ensuring that every force in the field can move quickly as needed,” said Fathimatuzzahra.