Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has outlined a five-pillar strategy to strengthen forest and land fire (karhutla) control as the country enters a critical period of the 2026 dry season, with El Niño-related extreme weather conditions expected to peak in September.
The ministry also praised joint field teams for helping suppress wildfire activity across several regions throughout August. However, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni warned that the improving situation should not lead to complacency, urging all stakeholders to maintain heightened preparedness and strengthen coordination.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on September 1, 2026, Antoni said wildfire control remains a key government priority to protect public safety, maintain air quality, and prevent further environmental damage.
“Evaluation results throughout August show an improving suppression trend across several regions. However, this is no reason for complacency. September is a crucial phase for us to maintain full alertness and strengthen firefighting coordination,” Antoni said.
The first pillar is Weather Modification Technology (OMC), which the ministry is implementing intensively in coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). The operation aims to stimulate rainfall and increase soil moisture in six priority provinces.
The second pillar involves aerial water-bombing operations. The government has deployed 53 aircraft for aerial patrols and targeted firefighting, particularly in areas that are difficult for ground teams to access.
The third pillar strengthens ground operations through coordination among Kemenhut’s Manggala Agni firefighting units, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and Fire-Aware Communities (MPA). The ministry said this cooperation has helped teams isolate fire sources and ensure that fires are fully extinguished.
The fourth pillar focuses on law enforcement. According to the ministry, the National Police is currently handling cases involving 89 criminal suspects, while Kemenhut’s Directorate General of Forest Law Enforcement (Gakkum) is managing dozens of criminal cases and evaluating several Forest Utilization Business Licensing (PBPH) holders.
The fifth pillar emphasizes public education and participation. The government is encouraging communities to prevent unauthorized land clearing through burning and avoid negligent actions, including discarding cigarette butts in dry and fire-prone areas.
Kemenhut is also using Sipongi, a satellite-based monitoring system that operates 24 hours a day, to support transparency and early detection. The platform provides information on hotspots and wind movements that can be accessed by the public and media.
Antoni also expressed appreciation for President Prabowo Subianto’s firm direction on wildfire control, as well as cooperation among the military, police, central and local governments, and the media.
He said public feedback and monitoring from citizens and social media users also contribute to improving government services and wildfire response.
“Wildfire prevention is a collective effort. With technical collaboration, fair law enforcement, and rising public awareness, we are optimistic we can navigate this critical period successfully,” Antoni said. (*)
