Enviro News Asia, Pekanbaru — President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the immediate construction of 306 bore wells near wildfire hotspots in Riau as part of efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) before they develop into larger fires.
During a wildfire management meeting in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday (24 August), Prabowo emphasized that bore wells should be built immediately at hotspot locations rather than waiting until fires break out.
“Do not wait until they become fire points. Immediately build water bore wells at the 306 hotspot locations,” Prabowo said.
Head of the Riau Regional Disaster Management and Firefighting Agency, M. Edy Afrizal, reported that 306 hotspots had been detected across Riau. Of these, seven had developed into active fires located across four regencies.
Prabowo therefore instructed authorities to immediately construct bore wells at the identified hotspots, with wells expected to reach depths of approximately 30 to 50 meters.
“Please go directly to those hotspot locations and take immediate action. Water bore wells can be built in those areas,” the President said.
Bore wells are considered important for wildfire prevention because they can provide readily available water in dry and fire-prone areas, particularly peatlands during the dry season when canals and rivers begin to lose water.
The wells can also be used to wet dry peatlands and reduce the risk of underground fires. By increasing water availability around vulnerable areas, the government expects small hotspots to be prevented from developing into larger fires.
Prabowo also instructed local authorities to prevent intentional forest and land burning, regardless of whether it is carried out by individuals, government officials or companies.
He called on local governments to proactively educate communities that land burning is strictly prohibited. At the same time, he said authorities should establish mechanisms to assist and supervise communities that require land clearing for legitimate purposes.
“Provide explanations and education in every village that land burning is strictly prohibited. If they need to clear land, they should report it to the village head, subdistrict head or regent, and the government will help them,” Prabowo said.
The President also warned corporations against organizing farmers or village communities to carry out illegal burning. He ordered law enforcement agencies, including the police, prosecutors and intelligence authorities, to investigate any indications of corporate involvement.
“Whoever they are, whatever corporation it is, if there is even a slight indication that they are involved or ordered people to burn land, we will revoke their licenses. All of the corporation’s licenses will be revoked. I am serious,” Prabowo said.
The directive highlights the government’s emphasis on preventive wildfire management, with rapid access to water and early intervention expected to complement firefighting operations during the ongoing dry season. (*)
