"August is actually the peak of the dry season, so we remain vigilant for forest and land fires," Head of the Banjarmasin City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Husni Thamrin said in Banjarmasin, on Saturday.
According to Thamrin, the dry season will begin to ease in September 2025, so the alert for forest and land fires can be relaxed.
"Currently, we remain on high alert for forest and land fires, even though it has been raining frequently recently," he said.
Thamrin explained that the recent rain is due to weather modification measures, specifically to anticipate forest and land fires.
"So, the provincial government, through the South Kalimantan BPBD, has requested assistance from the Environment Ministry to modify the weather during this dry season, resulting in frequent rain," he said.
He revealed that the rainfall was quite heavy until August 21, then continued until August 26 with moderate rainfall.
"The rain was indeed natural, influenced by the Ministry of Environment's weather modification efforts, which significantly prevented forest and land fires," he said.
Thamrin stated that forest and land areas in Banjarmasin City remain protected from forest and land fires.
"There have been no forest and land fires in our city, including in neighboring areas. We are also monitoring the surrounding area," he said.
According to him, Banjarmasin City will certainly deploy personnel and equipment if neighboring areas experience forest and land fires that require assistance.
"Like in 2023, we deployed a team to the area around the airport in Banjarbaru City, because the forest and land fires were quite severe," he said.
He noted that the government's preparedness for forest and land fires this year is very optimal, ensuring that major forest and land fires will not occur in this province in 2025.
"We also hope the public will remain vigilant about this disaster, because everyone will be affected," he said.
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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