Vindry Florentin, Jakarta – National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho stated that 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang coincides with the peak of the dry season. At that period, risks of forest and land fires increase.
Sutopo explained that forest and land fires produce smoke that potentially causes disturbance to Asian Games. "In South Sumatra, 146 villages potentially catch fire and the smoke will fill up the venue," he said in Jakarta on Friday, Feb. 23.
Risks of forest and land fires are predicted to escalate with the event of the regional election this year. In light of past experiences, acting regional heads tend to not declare emergency status when a disaster occurs, whereas declaring emergency status eases BNPB's job to mitigate disasters.
Sutopo expressed that BNPB has prepared a number of strategies to anticipate forest and land fires. BNPB prepares task force to perform patrols on land and on air, as well as prepares water-bombing helicopters, artificial rain, and air patrols.
In addition, BNPB together with Environment and Forestry Ministry prepares law enforcement to provide sanctions to those involved in forest and land fires. BNPB also disseminate information on threats of forest and land fires to the people and regional heads.