Preventing Forest Fires

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

A firefighter pulls a hose through brush on Tuesday (13/8/2019) to extinguish a fire off Jl. Merdeka in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. The arid area lacks a convenient water source for firefighting efforts, particularly as no underground wells are available nearby.

The forest fires we were worried about have struck again. In the current dry season, there have been peatland fires in Riau and forest fires in Kalimantan.

No less than President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo specifically reminded the relevant officials to prevent forest fires from recurring. The President also reminded provincial police chiefs and regional military commanders to be serious about controlling forest fires or they risk re-assignment.