Testing Bengkulu's Preparedness Against Forest and Land Fires
Bengkulu remains in a relatively controlled condition.
Bengkulu (ANTARA) - Recent forest and land fires occurring in several regions of Indonesia have once again demonstrated that the dry season presents unique challenges for areas with extensive forest areas, plantations, and peatlands.
According to BNPB data as of 8 September, the indicated area of burnt land in six priority provinces has reached 76,922.3 hectares. Meanwhile, data from 6 September shows that out of a total of 72,009 hectares of burnt peatland, 939 hectares are currently undergoing intensive firefighting efforts.
The vast scale of these fires illustrates how vulnerable forests and peatlands are to fire hazards during the dry season. Once ignited, fires can spread rapidly and become extremely difficult to control.
The El Nino phenomenon, which exacerbates dry periods in certain regions, further increases this vulnerability. Reduced rainfall makes vegetation and land more flammable, as fire spreads much faster in dry environmental conditions.
Among the various regions in Indonesia currently facing forest and land fire situations, Bengkulu Province has become a point of focus. In early September, the Ministry of Forestry conducted supervision of the local government and regional leadership coordination forums (forkopimda) as part of preparedness efforts to prevent fires from spreading in Bengkulu, aiming to avoid the widespread devastation seen in other regions.
Bengkulu possesses forest and conservation areas covering 46.43 per cent of its total 32,225 square kilometre provincial territory. Beyond forest and conservation areas, Bengkulu also contains plantations and various other land uses, including peatland areas.
Given the current dry conditions, the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency) has issued warnings regarding certain areas in Bengkulu that require attention during the dry season due to their high flammability.
The probability of fire susceptibility in several parts of the region reaches as high as 80 to 90 per cent, while the rainy season is expected to arrive approximately three decades (dasarian) late. This implies that dry conditions are likely to persist, and vigilance against fires cannot be lowered in the near future.
On the other hand, data from the Bengkulu Provincial Environmental and Forestry Service shows that 1,350 hotspots were detected across various regions throughout 2024. The presence of these hotspots does not necessarily mean that all of them have resulted in actual forest and land fires.
Although there have been several fire incidents recently, the severity of the situation in Bengkulu is not comparable to other provinces that are currently undergoing intensive firefighting operations.
Data indicating a burnt area of approximately 125 hectares shows that the situation in Bengkulu has been well-managed so far.
However, this currently “safe” situation should not lead to regional complacency. Instead, it should serve as a reminder that regions with characteristics vulnerable to fire should use the current period to test and strengthen their preparedness before the situation escalates and becomes more difficult to control.
Do not wait.