Putting Out Forest Fires

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

A firefighter tackles a brushfire on Monday (12/8/2019) in Palangkaraya, Center Kalimantan. Thick smoke from wildfires has filled the skies above Palangkaraya, which has been rated “hazardous” on the air quality index.

The forest and peatland fire emergency is in front of our eyes. It has spread widely in several regions and disrupted healthcare and air transportation.

Fires have spread in several provinces in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi and Papua. Schools are closed to prevent students from being affected by the worsening smog. Flights in Supadio Airport in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, are affected by the thick smog that resulted in a visibility of only 500 meters.

It is difficult to put out these fires due to the vast amount of area affected and high number of hotspots. In South Sumatra alone, 2,200 hectares of forest was on fire as of Monday, with the number of hotspots reaching 367.

The prolonged dry season has resulted in the high prevalence of easily flammable biomass. Despite being officially banned and with the threat of legal punishment for forest burners, land clearing by burning persists and contributes to the forest fires.

With the dry season estimated to last until early October, there must be immediate efforts to put these forest fires out. Moreover, peatland fires may persist and be difficult to put out.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

Smoke rises from peatland fires in Muara Medak village on Wednesday (8/21/2019), as viewed from an APP Sinar Mas helicopter flying a fire monitoring mission over Bayung Lencir district in Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra. Firefighting efforts are being carried out by air and land, while some local residents have been evacuated to safer locations.

Forest and peatland fires have resulted in huge losses. Local productivity plummeted as daily activities are disrupted. Health issues manifested in respiratory tract disorders, while there is no certainty on what the long-term health effects will be. Smog from forest fires may also disrupt activities in neighboring countries, which can complain if they see the smog as being too disruptive.

The forest fires also leads to the loss of forest germplasm, a natural wealth whose benefits are not yet fully identified. The loss of forest biomass will decrease Indonesian forests’ capability to serve as the world’s lung.

What is most concerning is that forest and peatland fires recur every year, partially due to deliberate burning. Despite the government’s harsh punishment for forest burners, the practice persists in various regions. According to Kompas reports, both individuals and corporates are involved.

We do not want the 2015 massive forest fire incident, which eradicated 2.6 million hectares of forest and peatland, to reoccur.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

Ash and debris cover a swathe of peatland in Muara Medak village devastated by fire on Wednesday (8/21/2019), as viewed from an APP Sinar Mas helicopter flying a fire monitoring mission over Bayung Lencir district in Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra. Firefighting efforts are being carried out by air and land, while some local residents have been evacuated to safer locations.

In the face of forest and peatland fire, there is no other solution but to put the fires out and localize them to prevent them from spreading. Hospitals and clinics must be prepared, especially to care for the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, children under five and those with respiratory health issues.

Strong field leadership to coordinate all resources is necessary. Regional government heads and civil servants, military and police personnel, big and small companies, farmers and the people, must be involved in line with their respective capacities.