Manggala Agni Rengat operations in Riau Province have constructed 19 ponds as a water source to extinguish a forest and land fire in Kerumutan Village, Kerumutan District, Pelalawan Regency covering an area of 64 hectares. Head of Manggala Agni Rengat Operations Muhammad Sodik said the ponds were built with the assistance of heavy equipment, which was also used to open access roads and construct firebreaks.
Sodik stated that 17 of the ponds built around the fire-fighting site have been confirmed so far. The operation has entered its 11th day and the fire remains unextinguished, with challenges on the ground including dense fuel conditions and a lengthy distance to the fire head. The fire head is located within wild acacia plantations, requiring 1.5 hours to transport equipment by two-wheeled vehicles or a 1.5-kilometre walk on foot.
At another location, Manggala Agni is also conducting firefighting operations at Guntung Hilir River, Inderagiri Hulu Regency, with the burned area estimated at 50 hectares and still potentially increasing. The operation has entered its seventh day and the fire remains unextinguished, with challenges including dense fuel conditions, thick smoke, and strong winds. The fire head has already advanced into primary forest with access not yet fully opened.
Firefighting operations in Inderagiri Hulu are supported by one waterbombing helicopter unit from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Additional heavy equipment has also been deployed to open access to the northern side of the fire head and to prepare ponds as a water source and construct firebreaks.
