Gov’t Mobilizes 64 Aircraft, 54,394 Personnel to Handle Forest, Land Fires

The Government is making continuous efforts to mobilize all strength needed to combat forest and land fires in various regions across Indonesia. The efforts include land and air operations, fire emergency response and mitigation, and protection for affected communities.

“From air to land, all strength continues to be mobilized, aimed at extinguishing fires, reducing the impact of smoke, and most importantly, protecting the people from the threats arising from the fires,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated on social media on Sunday (9/20).

He also highlighted the difficulties in tackling the fires due to the massive areas and the conditions of peatlands. However, the Government continues its efforts to tackle this situation.

“The massive areas and the bad conditions of peatlands pose difficult challenges in managing the fires in various regions in Indonesia. However, our efforts to extinguish the fires continue ceaselessly through both land and air operations,” he continued.

According to him, since August, a total of 64 aircraft have been mobilized to support the firefighting operations. As many as 55 aircraft operated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and 9 aircraft operated by the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) have conducted water bombing operations.

In addition to the air operations, a total of 54,394 joint personnel have fought fires in the field. They consist of personnel from TNI, the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Ministry of Forestry, BNPB, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni (forest fire brigades), volunteers, and communities.

“Since August, as many as 64 aircraft have been mobilized to carry out water bombing operations, supported by 54,394 joint personnel to continue firefighting operations, reaching fire hotspots, and preventing the fires from spreading further,” he concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RD/TM)