West Kalimantan Police search for water sources to tackle forest and land fires
Pontianak (ANTARA) - West Kalimantan Regional Police have deployed personnel to search for and prepare water sources in several vulnerable areas as part of strengthening the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla).
“We are also trying to find water sources. We have coordinated with the Environmental Agency, then carried out detection at points according to the coordinates that have been provided,” said West Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Alberd Teddy Benhard Sianipar in Pontianak on Tuesday.
He said the search for water sources was carried out in coordination with the West Kalimantan Environmental Agency to ensure water availability during the extinguishing process.
In addition to drilling, West Kalimantan Police are preparing water sources through retention basins and ditches located around fire-prone areas. The measure is intended to accelerate water distribution to fire locations.
Alberd said efforts to prepare water sources will also involve companies located around vulnerable areas. Companies are expected to help provide and distribute water to support extinguishing operations.
“We also continue to make efforts to fill and prepare water sources in retention basins or ditches around locations with potential for fires,” he said.
In addition to strengthening water sources, West Kalimantan Police have received an additional 300 Mobile Brigade personnel to support the Aman Nusa Dua Task Force in handling forest and land fires in eight priority districts.
The Police Chief said the eight areas include Ketapang, Kubu Raya, Melawi, Sambas, Sanggau, Bengkayang, Mempawah, and North Kayong. Ketapang, Kubu Raya, and Melawi are areas receiving special attention.
The Police Chief also stressed that police continue to monitor companies located around fire areas. Corporations proven to have deliberately burned land or ordered burning will be dealt with firmly.
“So far there have been none, but we are still working with the West Kalimantan Provincial Environmental Agency. Several companies have been asked for initial statements,” he said.
He emphasised that handling forest and land fires requires collaboration from all parties, including the government, security forces, companies, and the public, so that water availability and fire response can be carried out quickly.
These efforts are expected to accelerate handling when hotspots are detected while preventing fires from spreading and causing impacts on the community, the environment, and economic activity.