Aceh Barat wildfires spread to 34.1 hectares in 5 districts
BNPB is continuing water bombing and weather modification as fires keep flaring in peatland areas that are hard to reach.
Forest and land fires in Aceh Barat Regency spread to 34.1 hectares by Thursday afternoon, up from 31.1 hectares in the morning. Aceh Barat BPBD recorded fires across five districts, with the worst-hit area in Bubon District at 25 hectares. Other locations were Samatiga at 4 hectares, Meureubo at 2.6 hectares, Johan Pahlawan at 1.5 hectares and Arongan Lambalek at 1 hectare. According to BPBD, fire points were detected in stages since late May through the Lancang Kuning application, SiPongi+, and reports from residents. Ground firefighting has been underway since May 31, while BNPB's weather modification operation ran from June 3-10 and water bombing has been deployed since June 7. Hot weather, strong winds, thick smoke and difficult road access have slowed the effort.