TNI uses aerial mapping to speed up West Kalimantan firefighting

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2 hours ago

Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) – An Indonesian military task force from three services is using aerial surveillance and mapping to detect hotspots and identify the fastest routes to forest and land fires in West Kalimantan Province.

The operation is supported by the 466th Airborne Battalion, which deployed a visual control point team to direct paramotors during aerial mapping in Mekarsari Village, Sungai Raya Subdistrict, Kubu Raya District, said First Lieutenant Richo Hamdan, head of the visual control point from the 466th Para Commando Battalion, in Sungai Raya on Tuesday.

Alfa Team comprises personnel from the Army Special Forces, Air Force Special Forces, Army Strategic Reserve Command, and Marine Corps, deployed to accelerate hotspot detection and response in hard-to-reach areas, he said.

The deployment is part of military operations other than war to assist communities and authorities in responding to disasters, including forest and land fires.

Using paramotors, the team conducts aerial surveillance and mapping to locate hotspots and identify the nearest access routes for firefighters.

“Aerial mapping is important because several fires in West Kalimantan are in savanna and grassland areas that burn easily, allowing flames to spread quickly,” Richo said.

Reaching fire locations by land can also take considerable time, particularly in remote and isolated areas.

Aerial mapping is expected to shorten travel times by identifying landing points and the nearest routes to fire locations.

“Personnel do not need to search randomly but can head directly to locations identified through aerial monitoring,” he said.

Drones are also being used to detect hotspots and provide an overview of conditions on the ground before personnel move in.

“The strategy is expected to improve the speed and accuracy of wildfire response, especially in hard-to-reach areas, allowing fires to be contained before they spread,” he said.