BNPB's head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, stated in Jakarta on Thursday that the forest and land fires started on Wednesday in the Padang Bolak Julu Sub-district, North Padang Lawas District, burning 10 hectares of land.
Firefighting efforts are being carried out collaboratively by the North Padang Lawas Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the local Fire Department, and residents.
"The firefighting efforts are being carried out to prevent the fire from spreading to residential areas and to help residents evacuate," Muhari explained.
The agency confirmed that about the same time, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds struck Deli Serdang District, triggering a whirlwind in several villages in Pantai Labu, Perkebunan Ramunia, Pantai Labu Pekan, Paluh Sibaji, Regemuk, Pematang Biara, Kelambir, and Durian.
He reported that the disaster affected 31 families and caused light to moderate damage to 31 houses.
"The field team is still collecting data on material losses," he remarked.
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The Deli Serdang BPBD team, together with village officials, is distributing aid and carrying out emergency repairs to damaged houses.
In response, BNPB urged local governments and communities to step up preparedness for potential disasters, particularly during the wet–dry transition season, which poses risks of forest and land fires as well as flooding in North Sumatra.
“Early detection is key—through routine patrols in fire-prone areas, optimizing watchtowers and guard posts, and regularly monitoring weather updates,” Muhari said.
Earlier, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that the government remains on high alert for forest and land fires until the end of August 2025.
He said the government plans to carry out weather modification operations, such as cloud seeding, whenever conditions are favorable, and will continue these efforts until the end of August to prevent and control fires.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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