Enviro News Asia, Jambi — Indonesia’s forest and land fire situation in Jambi province has improved over the past three weeks, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said on October 27, as the government strengthens prevention and firefighting efforts with Rp125 billion in presidential assistance.
Speaking after a coordination meeting with Jambi Governor Al Haris and relevant officials at Sultan Thaha Airport’s VIP building, Raja Juli said the situation had improved significantly compared with his previous visit three weeks earlier.
“Alhamdulillah, the situation in Jambi is much better than it was three weeks ago when I came here,” he said.
The Forestry Ministry’s SiPongi monitoring system detected no high-confidence fire hotspots at the time of monitoring. However, field inspections still identified indications of fires at two locations requiring further attention.
Weather forecasts predicting rainfall through November 2 provide an opportunity to intensify wetting and cooling operations, the minister said. After that period, joint patrols will be strengthened to prevent new fires, particularly in fire-prone areas and peatlands.
President Prabowo Subianto has provided Rp125 billion in assistance to support fire management and preparedness in Jambi. The funding was distributed in two phases: Rp85 billion in the first phase and Rp40 billion in the second. The assistance was allocated to the provincial government and eight regency administrations.
Raja Juli urged regional governments to ensure that the funds are used appropriately, transparently and accountably. He also called for coordination with law enforcement agencies from the planning stage to ensure that spending complies with applicable regulations.
In addition to supporting firefighting operations, the funds can be used to improve preparedness, including the provision of equipment and other resources needed to prevent forest and land fires.
Governor Al Haris welcomed the central government’s assistance, saying it helped address operational constraints faced by firefighting personnel, including shortages of equipment and funding.
He said the support had strengthened cooperation among regional governments, the Indonesian Military, police, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Forestry Ministry’s Manggala Agni firefighting teams and local communities.
“Alhamdulillah, with the presidential assistance we have received, I have reminded our colleagues that there should be no more hesitation in carrying out their duties,” Al Haris said.
The governor added that local authorities and task forces would continue working until the fires were fully under control. He said the situation was easing, thanks to support from multiple agencies and stakeholders.
Raja Juli stressed that forest and land fire management requires sustained field operations and public participation. The central and regional governments, together with the military, police, BNPB, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and other stakeholders, will continue prevention, suppression, land-wetting and patrol activities until conditions are declared safe.
The Forestry Ministry urged residents and businesses not to clear or open land by burning. Any signs of fire should be reported immediately to local authorities, regional disaster management agencies or the nearest fire-control post. (*)
