BNPB Highlights Ongoing Forest and Land Fires, and Upstream‑Driven Flooding

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded a series of disaster events across several regions of Indonesia in the 24 hours before 7 a.m. Jakarta time on Thursday, September 10. Forest and land fires were the most prevalent, followed by floods caused by high water discharge from upstream areas.

According to BNPB’s official report, fires occurred in Konawe Kepulauan Regency (Southeast Sulawesi), several regencies in East Java, Sukoharjo Regency (Central Java), Tojo Una‑Una Regency (Central Sulawesi), Central Bangka Regency (Bangka Belitung Islands), Landak Regency (West Kalimantan), and Mount Ciremai National Park (West Java).

Dry land conditions, limited water sources, and weather and wind patterns posed major challenges to firefighting operations.

In Konawe Kepulauan, around 2.7 hectares of former plantation land burned before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

In the eastern Cikasur area of Mount Argopuro, East Java, approximately seven hectares were affected. Response efforts included wetting the area, manual extinguishing, and creating firebreaks. Meanwhile, a fire on Mount Gajah Mungkur in Sukoharjo affected around 18 hectares of land.

Fires also occurred in Tojo Una‑Una, burning around 10 hectares, and in Central Bangka, burning around 1 hectare and destroying one house. In Mount Ciremai National Park, the affected area is estimated at 40 hectares. In Landak Regency, approximately 6 hectares of forest and rubber plantations burned before the fire was extinguished.

Response operations involved coordination between regional disaster agencies (BPBD), firefighters, the military (TNI), the police (Polri), conservation area managers, village administrations, and local communities.

Methods included water spraying, jet shooter use, manual firefighting, and firebreak construction. Several locations still require additional personnel, equipment, and logistical support.

In addition to forest and land fires, flooding struck Tanjung Rejo Village in Percut Sei Tuan Subdistrict, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. The flood, caused by water flowing from upstream areas, affected 165 households comprising 733 residents and inundated around 165 homes. Floodwaters between 5 and 30 centimeters continue to cover roads and residential yards.

BNPB emphasized the importance of preparing for extreme weather, drought, and forest and land fires, which remain significant challenges in disaster mitigation. Residents in vulnerable areas are urged to conserve water, secure alternative water sources, and avoid activities that could trigger fires, such as burning trash or clearing land with fire.

Monitoring weather conditions, reporting hotspots and water shortages early, and strengthening coordination in response operations are essential to mitigating disaster impacts amid changing climate conditions. ***