Forest, Land Fires Scorch Seven Hectares Across Sumatra - Disaster Agency

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 14 (Bernama) -- At least seven hectares of land were scorched by forest and land fires across Indonesia’s Sumatra Island over the weekend, with blazes reported in West Sumatra and Aceh provinces, the national disaster agency said on Monday.

According to the local disaster management agency (BPBD), in West Sumatra’s Lima Puluh Kota regency, a fire broke out on Sunday in Jorong Sarasah Tanggo, Nagari Sarilamak, Harau subdistrict, burning about four hectares of land,

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“Ground crews were deployed and successfully extinguished the blaze. The cause is still under investigation,” National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Abdul Muhari stated in a statement.

A separate blaze, sparked by extreme weather in Jorong Bansa, Nagari Gaung, Kubung subdistrict of Solok regency, destroyed approximately one hectare of land in another area of the province.

“Firefighters, supported by a water tanker and fire engine, brought the situation under control before it could spread,” Abdul Muhari added.

In neighbouring Aceh province, Abdul Muhari said fires were reported in Gampong Suka Mulia, Lembah Seulawah subdistrict, Aceh Besar regency, affecting an estimated two hectares of farmland planted with young crops including cocoa.

“The fire was controlled within an hour by three firefighters and a fire truck dispatched by the Aceh Besar BPBD,” he said.

He urged local governments and communities to increase vigilance and avoid high-risk activities such as burning land to clear agricultural areas, open waste disposal, or discarding cigarette butts carelessly on dry land.

-- BERNAMA