The provincial government has set an emergency alert status for forest and land fire disasters to optimize field handling
Palangka Raya, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Central Kalimantan provincial government has continued to strengthen efforts to prevent and handle forest and land fires to realize the goal of "Haze-Free Central Kalimantan 2023."

"The provincial government has set an emergency alert status for forest and land fire disasters to optimize field handling," the province's secretary, Nuryakin, informed here on Monday.

The emergency status will end on November 10, 2023.

It is important to realize the haze-free goal since smog can have many negative impacts on people's lives, both in terms of health and the economy.

Nuryakin explained that the challenges faced in handling this year's forest and land fire potential are more difficult compared to those seen in the past three years because of predictions of a longer and drier dry season as well as the occurrence of El Nino.

According to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), as of May 31, at least 970 hotspots have been detected across 14 districts and cities in the province, with 161 forest and land fire incidents on record.

The Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Crisis Post said that it is continuing to monitor the hotspots.

"To respond to the forest and land fire emergency alert status, we, together with the related agencies, continue to strengthen the necessary things," Nuryakin said.

Acting head of the province’s Fire and Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBPK), Ahmad Toyib, informed that in the near future, the provincial government will carry out preparation routines for personnel and ensure that equipment is ready to face this year's forest and land fire risk.

Chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, is scheduled to join the preparation routine activity on June 16.

"His visit will also include reviewing the preparedness of the Central Kalimantan provincial government and the forest and land fire control task force in anticipating and overcoming potential fires at the small, medium, and large scale," he said.

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Translator: M Hidayat, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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