229.54 Hectares of Land Burned in Jambi Province Through August 2023

Based on data from the Jambi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), 229.54 hectares (ha) of land burned in Jambi between January and August 2023.

According to Detik.com, this comprises 214.41 ha of mineral land and 15.13 ha of peatland.

Dodi Chandra, Acting Head of the Jambi BPBD, explained that the general flammability level is categorized as high, leading to an increase in forest fires due to hot weather as the dry season approaches.

Batanghari Regency recorded the largest area of land burned in Jambi, reaching 111.14 ha.

This was followed by Sarolangun and Tebo Regencies with 40.02 ha and 31.20 ha of burned land, respectively.

The BPBD noted that these land fires occurred in almost all areas of Jambi, except for Kerinci Regency and Sungai Penuh City, which remained safe.

In response, the Jambi Provincial Government has sent a letter to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to conduct weather modification to mitigate the impact of the land fires.

"We have submitted the application for Weather Modification Technology (TMC). We are just waiting, as the implementation is carried out by the BNPB in coordination with the BMKG (Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics). There are considerations for cloud seeding, such as observing cloud formation and other factors," said Dodi in a statement reported by Detik.com on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

The following details the area of burned land in Jambi Province as of August 11, 2023, by region:

1. Batanghari Regency: 111.14 ha
2. Sarolangun Regency: 40.02 ha
3. Tebo Regency: 31.20 ha
4. Tanjung Jabung Barat Regency: 16.13 ha
5. Merangin Regency: 9.80 ha
6. Bungo Regency: 9.45 ha
7. Muaro Jambi Regency: 7 ha
8. Tanjung Jabung Timur Regency: 4.80 ha

(See also: 10 Peatland Hydrological Areas Most Vulnerable to Forest and Land Fires in 2023)