Ekuatorial, Wonogiri – 6,000 hectares of Perhutani (State-owned Forest Enterprises) land in North Lawu Forest identified as flammables areas during drought. The flammable region is in plot 63, which are located near the peak of Mount Lawu.
Slopes in the Karanganyar and Wonogiri lose a lot of water sources because it did not rain. To prevent fire, Perhutani intensify patrols in Lawu ascent area. “Their duty is comb out the flammable areas and extinguish the fire.”
“The conditions are dry and many climbers are less concerned, so that the area was flammable,” said Assistant of Perhutani, Arief Nurjati to Ekuatorial, Monday (3/8). Sparks from cigarettes or the rest of the campfire that was not completely extinguished could cause a fire.
Arief said, Perhutani also anticipate other factors, the activity of charcoal production by farmers and craftsmen. The rest of the process of making charcoal fire can fall into the grass and dry branches around the site, triggering a fire. “Therefore, we ask the people to be careful when on the move around the forest. Especially during the dry season like this,” he said.
Forestry and Plantation Service of Wonogiri has ordered the forest officials and residents in 25 districts in Wonogiri to be aware of the fire, both of which occur in protected forests belong to the state and private forests. Head of Forestry and Plantation Service of Wonogiri, Billy Siswoyo, explained that Wonogiri has about 20 hectares of state forest and 39,8 acres of private forests.
He explained that access to this flammable region is difficult so it will need more time to get to the location. Another obstacle, Wonogiri lack of fire extinguishers. Fireman only armed with manual tools and relying on the help of residents. As to extinguish fires in the District of Wonogiri City, local government received an assistance a three-wheeled fire engine for the first treatment when there are hotspots. Bramantyo