Enviro News Asia, Manado — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is strengthening community-based forest and land fire prevention by training forestry extension officers in early detection, fire-risk mapping, public communication and initial firefighting techniques.
The training was held in Manado, North Sulawesi, on October 8, 2026, through the ministry’s Forestry Extension Center. It brought together 50 forestry extension officers from regional forestry agencies and technical units across the province.
Forestry Extension Center Head Wahju Rudianto said extension officers play a strategic role in preventing fires because they work directly with communities at the local level.
“Strengthening the capacity of extension officers is essential to promoting fire prevention through greater public awareness, preparedness and active community participation,” Wahju said during the training, which focused on the role of forestry extension officers in controlling forest and land fires.
He noted that forest and land fires threaten not only forests and biodiversity but also air quality, public health, social activities and economic livelihoods. Prevention and early detection therefore require stronger community involvement and coordination among stakeholders.
Participants represented the North Sulawesi Forestry Agency, the North Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Bunaken National Park, the Manado Sustainable Forest Management Agency and the Sulawesi Forest Fire Control Unit.
The training covered community outreach and empowerment, identification of fire-prone areas, early detection and reporting systems, initial firefighting methods, and occupational safety during fire suppression operations.
Ferdinand Astoto from the Directorate of Forest Fire Control presented policy and mitigation strategies. Technical sessions on early detection, reporting procedures, initial firefighting and operational safety were delivered by Roimen Royanto Malau of the Sulawesi Forest Fire Control Unit and Manggala Agni’s Bitung operational unit.
The program also included a session led by Agus Joko Purnomo on strengthening forestry extension officers’ persuasive communication skills to support fire prevention.
Wahju formally opened the event alongside Lucki Heintje Sualang, Head of the Extension, Community Empowerment and Customary Forest Division at the North Sulawesi Forestry Agency, who represented the agency’s head.
Participants completed pre-training and post-training tests to assess improvements in their knowledge and skills. They also prepared follow-up action plans outlining how they would apply the training in their respective work areas.
The ministry expects the initiative to strengthen forestry extension officers’ role as community-based fire prevention facilitators. By improving early reporting, preparedness and coordination among government agencies, forest managers and residents, the program aims to help prevent fires before they spread and require large-scale suppression efforts. (*)
