LAMANRIAU.COM, PEKANBARU – Forest and land fires in Riau Province since the beginning of 2021 until now have covered an area of 657.71 hectares. From data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), forest and land fires occurred in 10 of 12 districts and cities in Riau Province.
“The most extensive forest and land fires occurred in Bengkalis Regency (200.66 hectares). Followed by Indragiri Hilir (122.5 hectares), Dumai (109.1 hectares), and Siak (72.9 hectares),” said the Head of the Emergency Department. BPBD Riau Jim Gofur in Pekanbaru, Monday, March 8, 2021.
Read : Hot Weather Causes Forest Fire in Riau to Continue to Expand
According to Jim Gofur, forest and land fires also occurred in Pelalawan (48 hectares), Meranti Islands (35.5 hectares). Rokan Hilir (31 hectares), Indragiri Hulu (25 hectares), and Pekanbaru (three hectares). Only Kuantan Singingi and Rokan Hulu did not experience forest and land fires.
Riau every year faces forest and land fires, which, among other things, occur as a result of clearing peatlands. The Provincial Government has declared an emergency status for forest and land fires from 15 February to 31 October 2021.
Jim said that the forest and land fire prevention task force received an additional assistance of one helicopter from the National D isaster Management Agency (BNPB). (ins)
