President Prabowo Ensures Forest, Land Fire Response Continues from Riau to South Sumatra
After chairing a meeting at the Forward Command Post of the Riau Province Forest and Land Fire Task Force (Satgas Karhutla), President Prabowo Subianto continued his working visit to Palembang city, South Sumatra province, Monday (08/24).
President Prabowo arrived at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang city and immediately chaired a meeting with relevant officials at the Main Command Post of the South Sumatra Province Forest and Land Fire Task Force, located within the airport complex.
During the meeting, Head of the South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) M. Iqbal Alisyahbana, reported that as of August 23, 2026, South Sumatra province had recorded a total of 12,956 hotspots. Ogan Komering Ilir regency recorded the highest number at 2,435, followed by Musi Banyuasin regency with 2,139 and Muara Enim regency with 1,909.
“The number of hotspots has risen sharply this August. While 2,096 hotspots were recorded in July, the figure increased to 8,044 between August 1 and 23,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal further reported that the total area of land burned in South Sumatra as of August 23, 2026, had reached 1,926 hectares. Based on the area of burned land, South Sumatra province ranked 18th among Indonesia’s 36 provinces.
“Regarding the recapitulation of forest and land fire incidents in South Sumatra province as of August 23, 2026, there were 1,723 incidents,” Iqbal added.
To support forest and land fire management, South Sumatra province has deployed 11,567 personnel from various agencies and community groups, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Indonesian Air Force Base (Lanud), Manggala Agni, Forest Rangers (Polhut), the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), as well as fire-aware farmer and community groups and firefighting teams from corporations and industrial forest plantation (HTI) companies.
Response efforts include early detection and hotspot monitoring, ground and aerial patrols, and fire suppression operations. South Sumatra province is also receiving aerial support from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), including two patrol helicopters and five water-bombing helicopters.
“Here in South Sumatra province, we have conducted weather modification operations in four sessions. The latest operation is being carried out from August 22 to 26,” Iqbal added.
The Government is also continuing to strengthen public outreach and education, enhance cross-sectoral coordination, and enforce the law against individuals and corporations responsible for forest and land fires.
Following the report on operational needs in South Sumatra province, President Prabowo instructed that all requirements on the ground be met immediately. The Head of State approved the provision of additional resources to accelerate efforts to control forest and land fires in the province.
“Regarding your requirements, I need a detailed report on exactly what you need. You mentioned the need for one additional water-bombing helicopter. We can provide one more. We also need excavators,” the President said.
“We have excavators. Can we send them? Can they be transported here immediately? We will send them right away. How many can we send? Twenty, is that enough? Is twenty enough? All right, send them here immediately. What else do you need? Army Chief of Staff, what is being done in other locations? What about the water-boring equipment?” he continued.
During the meeting, President Prabowo also held video conferences with officials from the Jambi and Lampung provincial governments to ensure that operations on the ground were being carried out in a coordinated manner. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RIF/AW)
