The personnel not only wait for land and forest fires but also move from one area to another and conduct patrols to prevent land and forest fires that may happen any time,
Palangka Raya, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Palangka Raya, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Central Kalimantan province is deploying a task force consisting of 750 personnel to prevent land and forest fires in the region during this dry season.

"The personnel not only wait for land and forest fires but also move from one area to another and conduct patrols to prevent land and forest fires that may happen any time," Commander of the Land and Forest Fire Task Force Colonel Am Saiful Rizal who is also commander of the Panju Panjang Military Resort 102 said in Palangka Raya on Thursday.

The task force comprises personnel from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD), the National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian Police (Polri) and self-supporting fire department.

Since Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran declared a state of emergency over land and forest fires in the province, the task force has performed its duties in accordance with its main tasks and responsibilities, he said

"Several hot spots have been found in a number of areas such as South Barito, West Kotawaringin, and Kapuas Districts as well as in Palangka Raya City," he said.

However, the task force, which acted quickly, managed to prevent the fires, he said adding that the main cause of land and forest fires is the natural factor and human behavior.

The task force also conducts campaigns in the community about the risks of land and forest fires as well as efforts to prevent and combat them.

Translator: Kasriadi/Adi Wibowo, Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019