Kota Jambi (ANTARA) - Jambi Governor Al Haris confirmed on Friday that helicopters from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) are expected to arrive in the province on Saturday to assist in combating forest and land fires.
“We received a water bombing aircraft yesterday, and starting Saturday (July 26), helicopters will also be available to monitor and assess the burned areas,” he stated in Jambi City.The provincial administration, he added, is eagerly awaiting the helicopters to strengthen firefighting efforts on the ground. The local government has requested six helicopters—four for aerial water bombing and two for patrols.
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He called on personnel from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Disaster Response Cadets (Tagana), and the Fire Awareness Community (MPA) to remain vigilant.
As temperatures rise, the governor also urged the public and field teams to preserve water sources to support ongoing firefighting efforts. Fires continue to burn in parts of the province, including the Gambut Jaya area in Sungai Gelam Sub-district, Muaro Jambi District, where teams are working to extinguish the flames. The area requires special handling due to its peatland, which makes firefighting more difficult.
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Regarding the smoke odor reported in Jambi City, the governor said the source has yet to be confirmed. “Riau is also affected—perhaps due to the wind—but what’s clear is that the land fires in Jambi are also contributing,” he said.
