inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that forest and land fires, particularly in six priority provinces, were successfully controlled by early August, the peak of Indonesia's dry season.
The six priority provinces for forest and land fire management are Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.
"This success was achieved thanks to integrated operations involving weather modification technology, the deployment of aircraft for patrols and aerial water spraying, and ground task forces," said BNPB Head Suharyanto on Tuesday (8/12/2025).
He confirmed that each province has a command center staffed by experts from BNPB, BMKG, the Indonesian National Military (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (INP), the Ministry of Forestry, and the governors and regents/mayors to ensure a rapid response to hotspots.
"The scheme is as follows: once a fire is detected, all must be immediately verified through aerial patrols, and then a response measure is determined, whether a ground task force is sufficient or weather modification operations and water bombing are required," said Suharyanto.
The implementation of this scheme is considered effective in reducing forest and land fires. Suharyanto even acknowledged that it has the full support of President Prabowo Subianto, who just held a limited meeting with technical ministries at the State Palace in Jakarta a few days ago.
The BNPB has also requested additional TNI-INP personnel to outreach the people to not clear a land by burning or lighting fires near peat mineral fields that are prone to fire.
"We will ensure that we maintain full alert in all priority provinces and adjust our air force deployment according to developments on the ground, because the potential for forest and land fires remains until the dry season ends, which is expected to end September," the Head of the BNPB emphasized.
"We want to ensure that conditions remain under control and that the impact on health, the environment, and the economy can be minimized," he continued.
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