VP Gibran inspects Kalimantan fires, ensures effective handling

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka reviewed forest and land fire mitigation efforts in three Kalimantan provinces to ensure their effective implementation.

He visited Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan, Banjarbaru in South Kalimantan, and Kubu Raya in West Kalimantan to monitor the wildfire handling.

“Extinguishing fire hotspots and providing community services must run simultaneously, including meeting medical needs, access to education, availability of masks, vitamins, water, and logistics,” he stated as quoted from a statement on Thursday.

Gibran emphasized that firefighting efforts must go hand in hand with protecting the public, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, older people, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

The needs of affected residents, including health services, education, and logistical support, must also be fulfilled during this situation, he added.

He also stressed the need to continuously adapt forest and land fire management measures to field conditions, including by introducing relevant innovations.

He noted that any innovation introduced must deliver tangible and measurable benefits while continuing to prioritize the safety of personnel.

One of the uses of innovation reviewed by Gibran was the formulation of environmentally friendly surfactants for peatlands fire extinguishing.

This innovation was developed through laboratory studies and analysis of foam-forming liquids, which were then reformulated to be suitable for extinguishing peatlands.

This formulation helps water penetrate the peat layer while forming foam on the surface, making it more effective at cooling and extinguishing underground embers while reducing water use.

Thermal drone tests showed that the temperature of the peatland dropped from around 130 degrees Celsius to approximately 30 degrees Celsius within about one minute of application.

While inspecting the Forest and Fire Control Post in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Gibran apologized to the Kalimantan people over the poor air quality, saying the government would continue its efforts in line with the President’s directives.

Gibran also urged central and regional governments to strengthen coordination and ensure that every obstacle encountered in the field receives clear and measurable follow-up.

He then called for long-term vigilance as El Niño conditions are expected to persist until early 2027, requiring continued efforts to strengthen prevention and preparedness measures.