Sumatra Forest Fire Control Office deploys BKO personnel to South Sumatra

The Sumatra Regional Forest Fire Control Office (Dalkarhut) of the Ministry of Forestry has deployed Bantuan Kendali Operasi (BKO) Manggala Agni personnel from Sumatra Island and Jambi to South Sumatra to extinguish forest and land fires in the region.

“We are withdrawing Manggala Agni personnel from Bangka and Jambi to assist in controlling forest and land fires in Ogan Komering Ilir, South Sumatra,” said Ferdian Krisnanto, Head of the Sumatra Regional Forest Fire Control Office of the Ministry of Forestry, in Pangkalpinang on Sunday.

He said the deployment of BKO personnel from Jambi and Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, to South Sumatra was carried out to anticipate the spread of smoke caused by forest and land fires in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency.

“Based on satellite imagery, a large smoke source has been detected in Ogan Komering Ilir that is strengthening and spreading northward, merging with a smoke source in Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra, which is affecting Jambi,” he said.

Meanwhile, fires in Riau are currently causing a large smoke source in Kerumutan (Indragiri Hulu), and the Sumatra Regional Forest Fire Control Office is also preparing additional BKO personnel from North Sumatra.

He stated that the Manggala Agni personnel deployed through the BKO scheme are a special force for controlling forest and land fires.

They are always on standby at the forefront to protect forest sustainability, safeguard wildlife, and ensure the air breathed by the public remains clean.

“For Sumatra, there are currently 954 Manggala Agni personnel available, concentrated on handling forest and land fires in Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra. The highest escalation and greatest impact are in South Sumatra,” he said.