Forest Fires Continue

Firefighting task forces across Sumatra and Kalimantan are intensifying their efforts amid the spread of forest and peatland fires in the regions. More water bombers have been deployed for aerial firefighting, while joint teams have received more personnel to intensify land-based efforts.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

A firefighter monitors hotspots from the MI 172-VN 8427 helicopter in Cinta Jaya village, Pedamaran district, Ogan Komering Ilir regency, South Sumatra, Thursday (19/7/2018). Four helicopters have been deployed to extinguish peatland and forest fires and patrol a number of areas prone to fires in southern Sumatra. The taskforce to tackle forest and peatland fires in South Sumatra has declared a “high alert” status in the affected areas, which will be in place from July 20 to Sept. 5.

OGAN KOMERING ILIR, KOMPAS – Firefighting task forces across Sumatra and Kalimantan are intensifying their efforts amid the spread of forest and peatland fires in the regions. More water bombers have been deployed for aerial firefighting, while joint teams have received more personnel to intensify land-based firefighting efforts.

All of this is to ensure that the 2018 Asian Games that will be co-hosted by Palembang, South Sumatra, will be smog-free. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicted that this year’s dry season would be more arid than those in the past two years. However, it will still be less arid than 2015, when thick smog shrouded South Sumatra and its surrounding area for days.