As an anticipatory measure to face the dry season, the North Kedu Forest Management Unit (KPH) is tightening surveillance in the slope area of Mount Sumbing. This preventive step is implemented through the optimization of a monitoring tower located in Campursari Village, Bulu District, Temanggung Regency, to detect potential forest and land fires early.
The monitoring tower serves as a strategic point for officers to comprehensively monitor the entire forest expanse. Through this monitoring post, any indication of hotspots or suspicious activities in the forest area can be tracked more quickly, allowing extinguishing efforts or emergency handling to be carried out immediately before the fire spreads.
Not only relying on visual surveillance from heights, Perhutani has also established intensive collaboration with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) across three regions: Temanggung, Magelang, and Wonosobo Regencies. This synergy aims to align emergency response procedures and increase the readiness of personnel in the field.
Deputy Administrator of North Kedu KPH, Bambang Setyawan, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive preventive approach. His team is also installing information boards at forest boundaries and utilizing social media to educate the public not to conduct careless land burning. According to Bambang, active collaboration between officers and local residents is key to preserving the forest ecosystem.
This anticipatory step received appreciation from the local community. Musrifin, a member of the Sido Makmur Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH) in Kemloko Village, stated that the presence of the monitoring tower provides a sense of security for residents near the forest. He affirmed the community's commitment to continuing to support patrol efforts and protect the slopes of Mount Sumbing from the threat of wildfires.
