Batang Hari, Jambi (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Jambi Province has deployed two water-bombing helicopters to help extinguish fires that have burned six hectares inside the Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Forest Park in Batang Hari District, the provincial government said.
“We are operating four water-bombing helicopters, but one is still undergoing maintenance. Once it is ready, we will deploy two here,” Jambi Governor Al Haris said.
The effort aims to ensure firefighting operations run effectively and limit the impact of fires that have begun affecting local communities, the governor said here on Friday.
Authorities are also deploying ground teams to fight the fires, Al Haris said, as the situation requires additional firefighting efforts.
The government is continuing efforts to contain fires that have burned six hectares of land inside the forest park, he said.
The fires have raised concern because they could spread and affect air quality and public health, according to the provincial government.
The forest park is one of 22 such parks in Indonesia and spans 15,810 hectares across Bajubang, Muara Bulian, and Tembesi subdistricts in Batang Hari.
Al Haris also called on law enforcement authorities to investigate suspected deliberate forest burning and identify those responsible.
To prevent similar fires from recurring, the government has prepared a land-clearing program that does not involve burning, known as Pembukaan Lahan Tanpa Bakar (PLTB).
The program offers an alternative for people seeking to clear land without fire and is intended to help prevent forest and land fires.
“If you want to clear land, the government has a program that does not involve burning. You can apply,” Al Haris said.
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Translator: Agus S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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