inp.polri.go.id - East Java. The East Java Regional Police have deployed Operational Control Assistance (BKO) troops for a week to strengthen the handling of wildfire in nine regions.
"Based on the situation, there are still several hotspots that we need to extinguish. The presence of personnel in the field is expected to facilitate rapid and targeted response," said the East Java Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Dekananto Eko Purwono as reported by Antara, Wednesday (10/21/2026).
Based on monitoring results, wildfires are still occurring in nine regions in East Java. Although the number of fires has decreased and some are relatively small in scale, anticipatory efforts are being strengthened to prevent further fires.
Dekananto stated that the deployment of personnel is not only focused on extinguishing fires, but also includes prevention efforts and support for law enforcement against suspected forest and land fires that constitute criminal offenses.
He instructed his staff to accurately map fire locations and strengthen cross-sectoral coordination with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Military (TNI), local governments, and other relevant agencies.
"In accordance with the President's directive and the Indonesian National Police (INP) Chief's emphasis, forest and land fire mitigation in East Java must be maximized. Even though the number of hotspots has lowered, we must not be complacent because the potential for new fires is still very possible during the dry season," said Dekananto.
In addition to extinguishing fires, Dekananto emphasized the importance of the safety and health of personnel on duty in the field. Field commanders were asked to ensure the readiness of their personnel and check all safety equipment before entering fire areas.
Personnel were also asked to report on the situation at each location periodically to provide information for evaluation and determining next steps.
The BKO troop assignment will last for seven days until October 27, 2026. After the assignment period ends, the East Java Regional Police will evaluate the situation to determine the next steps, including possible personnel shifts or additional forces if necessary.
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