Wildfires have burned down more than 12 hectares forest and oil palm plantation in Pematang Karangan Hilir Village in Tapin District, Head of Tapin Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Raniansyah reported.
"10 hectares or more bushes and more than two hectares of oil palm were affected by the fire," he said when ANTARA News confirmed in Rantau, Thursday.
He confirmed that the wildfire that broke at noon was finally controlled by the joint team of Forest and Land Fire Task Force (Satgas Karhutla).
"The fire has been extinguished 95 percent. Conditions are safe," he said.
Raniansyah revealed that water sources in the village were minimal and difficult to reach. This situation forced the team to be smart in utilizing the existing availability.
Separately, Police Chief of Tapin Tengah Iptu Sugiono admitted that water sources in the area were minal.
"Indeed, it hard to find water there. The big wells are dry and rivers are receding," he said.
Meanwhile, the cause of the fire which is detrimental is currently under investigation by the local police.
Screenshot - Wildfire burns down oil palm and forest in Tapin District, South Kalimantan, Thursday (Sept 7, 2023). ANTARA/Muhammad Fauzi Fadilah
