BPBD West Kalimantan Boosts Land Wetting to Prevent 2026 Wildfires
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| BPBD West Kalimantan intensifies land wetting efforts to prevent wildfires ahead of the 2026 dry season, focusing on peatland and high-risk areas. (Illustration Image) |
Pontianak – Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah Provinsi Kalimantan Barat is stepping up efforts to prevent forest and land fires ahead of the 2026 dry season by intensifying its land wetting program, particularly in fire-prone peatland areas.
The Daily Operations Coordinator of BPBD West Kalimantan, Daniel, said the initiative is a key strategy to maintain soil moisture and reduce the risk of fires early on.
“This wetting effort aims to keep peatland areas moist on a large scale, so the potential for fires can be minimized from the start,” he said in Pontianak on Friday.
Focus on High-Risk Areas
The land wetting program targets regions with high fire risk, especially peatlands that are highly susceptible to drying out during the dry season. This measure is considered crucial to prevent the emergence of hotspots that could spread rapidly.
According to Daniel, the initiative is part of BPBD West Kalimantan’s integrated strategy to deal with the dry season, which is expected to last until mid-2026.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
In addition to land wetting, BPBD West Kalimantan is intensifying ground patrols and strengthening coordination with multiple stakeholders, including Tentara Nasional Indonesia and other related agencies.
This cross-sector collaboration ensures prevention efforts run effectively and allows for rapid response if fire risks are detected in the field.
Challenges in Water Availability
However, the program faces several challenges, particularly limited water resources in some fire-prone areas.
To address this issue, BPBD West Kalimantan is considering requesting support from Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana, including the potential use of weather modification technology if conditions require further intervention.
Monitoring Weather Conditions
BPBD West Kalimantan also continues to monitor weather forecasts provided by Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika as a basis for determining response strategies.
In addition to operational readiness, public education campaigns are being intensified to raise awareness about wildfire prevention.
Minimizing Wildfire Impact
By optimizing available resources, BPBD West Kalimantan hopes the land wetting program will effectively reduce wildfire risks and minimize their impact on the environment and public health.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is land wetting?
Land wetting is a method used to maintain soil moisture, especially in peatlands, to prevent fires during dry seasons.
2. Why are peatlands prone to fires?
Because they dry out easily and contain organic material that ignites quickly under high temperatures.
3. What are the main challenges of this program?
Limited water supply in several high-risk areas.
4. What solutions are being considered?
Requesting support from the national agency and using weather modification technology if necessary.
5. How can the public help?
By avoiding land clearing through burning and supporting environmental protection efforts.
