Forest Fire Smoke Reappears Near Indonesia's New Capital Nusantara, Extinguishing Efforts Continue

Smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) has once again been sighted in the areas surrounding Nusantara (IKN), Indonesia's planned new capital. On Monday (14/9), Minister of Forestry Raja Antoni, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, and Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) Basuki Hadimuljono observed rising white smoke in a hilly area during an inspection. Upon spotting the smoke, the officials immediately proceeded to the location to direct extinguishing efforts. Minister Raja Antoni instructed the "Manggala Agni" forest fire task force members and security personnel on duty to respond swiftly. "The smoke is rising again. Manggala Agni, please call your colleagues and resume extinguishing efforts. Do it while the fire is still small," he stated, emphasizing the need to prevent the fire from spreading. Following directives from President Prabowo Subianto, the government is collaborating with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), BNPB, the Ministry of Forestry, OIKN, local governments, and the community to tackle the karhutla situation. Strict vigilance is maintained to ensure the fires do not reach the core zone of IKN. Extinguishing efforts are being conducted through multiple approaches, including aerial water bombing operations and weather modification operations (OMC). Ground firefighting efforts involve the TNI, Polri, Manggala Agni, Forest Management Units (KPH), OIKN, and private companies. Minister Raja Antoni added that the karhutla handling in East Kalimantan province also extends to other regions that still have a high number of hotspots, including Berau, Paser, and Kutai Kartanegara, where high concentrations of hotspots continue to be observed. Source: CNN Indonesia