Enviro News Asia, Palembang — Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national forest and land fire mitigation efforts ahead of the 2026 dry season, with a particular focus on South Sumatra as one of the country’s fire-prone regions.
Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Moh. Jumhur Hidayat, stated that the government is intensifying preventive measures through cross-sector coordination, stricter corporate oversight, reservoir development, and weather modification operations aimed at reducing wildfire risks at an early stage.
He emphasized that mitigation efforts continue to be strengthened to ensure more effective fire control with minimal environmental and social impacts.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago stressed the importance of national synergy encompassing mitigation, prevention, emergency response, law enforcement, recovery, and public communication.
Speaking during the National Forest and Land Fire Preparedness Roll Call in South Sumatra, Djamari urged all fire-prone regions to act earlier, faster, and in a more coordinated and decisive manner to prevent fires before they spread.
Government data shows that the total area affected by forest and land fires nationwide reached approximately 376,805 hectares in 2024 and declined to around 359,619 hectares in 2025. In South Sumatra alone, burned areas dropped significantly from about 15,422 hectares in 2024 to 5,939 hectares in 2025. Between 1 January and 30 April 2026, the province recorded approximately 79.95 hectares affected by fires.
Despite the declining trend, authorities warned that vigilance must remain high, particularly as the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency forecasts a longer and drier dry season in 2026, with peak drought conditions in South Sumatra expected in August.
The ministry called on regional governments, businesses, and local communities to strengthen collaboration in preventing forest and land fires in order to protect environmental quality and public health. (*)
