Pekanbaru, The Indonesia Post – The Riau Provincial Government received the assistance of three helicopters and two planes to combat forest and land fires (karhutla) in the area nicknamed “Bumi Lancang Kuning”.
Head of the Emergency Division of the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Jim Gofur in Pekanbaru, Friday, said the assistance came from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
The Riau Provincial Government has indeed submitted assistance to strengthen the Karhutla Task Force since the emergency forest and land fire alert status was implemented on February 15, 2021.
“The assistance is given in accordance with the forest and land fire emergency alert status that has been determined by the Riau Provincial Government. And also because of a request from the Governor, “he said.
The Indonesian Air Force’s Cassa 212 aircraft are now at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base, Pekanbaru, to carry out weather modification technology (TMC) in collaboration with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).
The plane is already operating by pouring salt into the clouds to produce artificial rain, because Riau is experiencing a long dry season.
One other aircraft is the Cessna Caravan type which is used for patrol purposes from the BNPB.
“This Caravan aircraft has quite a long reach. This aircraft is used to monitor areas prone to forest and land fires, “he said.
Then assistance from BNPB in the form of three helicopters. The heli is specifically to help fight fires by dropping water from the air (water bombing).
Meanwhile, one more helicopters assistance from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry was used for patrols, but if needed could help with blackouts
“A patrol helicopter unit can also be used for short-range water bombing,” he said.
He hopes that in the future there will be more assistance in the form of planes and helicopters to anticipate Karhutla in Riau. Helicopters are not only used to assist with suppression and patrols, he continued, but can also help mobilize personnel and equipment in hard-to-reach fire areas.
“Because in Riau there are still many areas that are difficult to reach by the ground team in the event of a forest and land fire,” said Jim Gofur. (mhn/bbs)
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