Bengkulu urged to prepare early for wildfire risks

President Prabowo Subianto is closely monitoring the nation’s response to forest and land fires, according to Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. The president’s leadership has spurred intensified efforts to curb the blazes, which continue to pose a serious threat, particularly as the country prepares for the peak of El Nino in September. Antoni highlighted that while hotspot numbers have declined in several regions, the government remains vigilant and has launched further initiatives to mitigate fire risks. Hotspot counts in Riau dropped to zero on August 30 and 31, while Central and West Kalimantan also saw recent reductions. These improvements are attributed to both firefighting efforts and reduced community-led land-clearing activities. However, Antoni warned against complacency, noting that September could see a surge in fire incidents due to the ongoing El Nino effects. The government is preparing to intensify weather modification operations in six key provinces, Riau, South Sumatra, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan, when favorable conditions for cloud seeding arise. These operations aim to wet the land and sustain groundwater levels to lower fire risks. In anticipation of the El Nino-driven dry season, the Forestry Ministry has urged Bengkulu Province to enhance its wildfire preparedness without waiting for an emergency. Climate change adviser Haruni Krisnawati emphasized the importance of early action, stating that authorities should leverage existing tools such as weather forecasts, hotspot data, and local knowledge to detect and respond to threats promptly. She called for securing water sources in vulnerable areas and increasing patrols by companies and permit holders to prevent fires from escalating. Areas prone to repeated blazes require targeted interventions to address root causes and avoid recurring crises. As the government ramps up its response, it has deployed 53 aircraft to combat the fires, with 19 dedicated to patrols and weather modification and 34 used for aerial water bombing. These efforts are complemented by ground operations involving thousands of personnel who patrol and inspect hotspots, construct water channels, and isolate fire zones. Coordination between air and ground teams ensures rapid response to newly detected fires, with aerial monitoring feeding directly into on-the-ground decision-making. In West Kalimantan’s Ketapang District, for instance, real-time data from airborne surveys helps guide firefighting strategies effectively. The scale of the crisis is underscored by alarming statistics. Between January and late August 2026, nearly 286,000 hectares of land were scorched nationwide, with over 48,889 hectares burned in six priority provinces. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports that the SIPONGI system logged more than 1,200 active hotspots at peak levels across Kalimantan and Sumatra. The fires are largely fueled by prolonged dry spells linked to El Nino and illegal slash-and-burn practices for land clearing. Despite some progress, officials stress that the situation remains precarious, with Japan contributing three helicopters to bolster firefighting capabilities. The government is also implementing President Prabowo’s directive to expand bore wells and canal blocks to preserve moisture in peatlands, with additional equipment provided to field personnel. Weather modification operations, known locally as OMC, are being conducted in collaboration with regional authorities, including air force base commanders and airport heads, to facilitate extended flight hours under suitable cloud conditions. These efforts reflect a multi-layered approach combining technological intervention, human resources, and strategic planning to safeguard the environment and public health.