Kalimantan Tengah adds 48 police, TNI sends 583 for karhutla

Efforts to handle forest and land fires in Kalimantan are being expanded ahead of the dry season peak. The Kalimantan Tengah Police received 48 BKO personnel from the Lemdiklat Polri Karhutla Education Task Force, along with facilities and equipment to be distributed to local police units. Deputy chief of the Kalteng Police Brigjen Pol Yosi Muhamartha said the personnel will focus on educating the public about the dangers of land clearing by fire and preventing smoke. He stressed that haze must not disrupt flights at Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangka Raya. Separately, the TNI deployed 583 karhutla outreach personnel to Kalimantan Timur through Lanud Dhomber in Balikpapan. Kasdam VI/Mulawarman Brigjen TNI Andy Setyawan said the move is part of early prevention, not only extinguishing fires after they occur.