Enviro News Asia, Palembang — Manggala Agni personnel from South Sumatra’s Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) operational unit held a simple Independence Day ceremony at active forest and land fire suppression sites on August 17, 2026, while continuing efforts to control fires in the region.
The ceremony was held simultaneously by separate Manggala Agni teams at three fire-prone locations in OKI Regency: Tulung Selapan Ilir, Deling, and Kotabumi. Despite the challenging conditions at the fire suppression sites, the personnel maintained the tradition of honoring the Indonesian flag on the 81st anniversary of the country’s independence.
Edi Satriawan, Head of the Manggala Agni South Sumatra XVII/OKI Operations Unit, said the limited conditions in the field did not diminish the personnel’s commitment to commemorating Independence Day.
“The ceremony at the fire suppression site represents our gratitude and pride as Indonesian citizens. Although we are working on the front lines of forest and land fire management, we continue to honor the Red and White flag with pride, even in the simplest way directly from our duty locations,” Edi said.
The Independence Day commemoration also provided renewed morale for Manggala Agni personnel who had spent several days working to control forest and land fires across South Sumatra. The ceremony served as a moment of reflection while reinforcing their commitment to protecting forests and communities from the impacts of fire and smoke.
For Manggala Agni, protecting forests and communities from the threat of haze represents a form of national service. Following the ceremony, the personnel immediately returned to their duties, including patrols and fire suppression operations at the affected locations.
The Ministry of Forestry expressed its appreciation for fire-fighting teams working at the local level and remaining on standby around the clock. Their efforts are aimed at controlling forest and land fires, reducing smoke pollution, protecting forest ecosystems, and safeguarding communities in fire-prone areas.
The activities demonstrate that environmental protection and national service continue even under difficult field conditions. Manggala Agni’s presence on the front lines reflects the importance of rapid response, continuous monitoring, and community protection in managing Indonesia’s recurring forest and land fire risks. (*)
