Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Ministry of Forestry has deployed 2,376 members of the Manggala Agni forest fire control brigade to conduct preventive patrols and early suppression operations ahead of the 2025 dry season.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, during a Working Meeting with Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday (February 27, 2025), explained that according to information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the 2025 dry season is expected to begin in April and peak in August.
“In anticipation of land fires, the Ministry of Forestry has deployed 2,376 Manggala Agni personnel,” said Minister Raja Juli Antoni. These personnel are stationed across 34 Operational Areas and 37 Tactical Posts in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua.
Minister Raja Juli further stated that early preparedness is necessary, as BMKG predicts that the first phase of the dry season will begin as early as February in Northern Sumatra, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and Riau, as well as West Kalimantan. “This is influenced by the warming of the Indian Ocean,” he explained.
Additionally, the Ministry of Forestry will establish a Forest and Land Fire Desk to strengthen coordination with other agencies. This desk will be governed by a regulation from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, which is currently in the finalization stage and expected to be issued soon.
“We will hold a Special Coordination Meeting led by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, attended by regional leaders, the military (TNI), the police (Polri), and relevant ministries,” the Minister added.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Forestry will revitalize various forest and land fire control facilities and infrastructure with support from the state budget (APBN) and other resources. It will also enhance the SI Pongi early detection and warning information system, improve forest and land fire disaster management, and strengthen peatland landscape governance.
