The ministry's Director of Forest Fire Control, Thomas Nifinluri, confirmed in Jakarta on Monday that the ministry routinely maps the high-risk areas. The process involves analyzing historical hotspots, land cover conditions, land types, climate predictions, and drought indices.
"Priority regions for mitigation and preparedness are generally located in provinces with extensive peatlands and a history of frequent fires, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan," he explained.
Several regions that receive special attention from the government include Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Papua—especially South Papua.
He affirmed that the government is undertaking various mitigation efforts to prevent forest and land fires.
This includes cross-sector coordination by the Ministry of Forestry, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), regional governments, the National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police, and concession holders.
Other efforts include increased patrols in fire-prone areas and enhanced readiness of the Manggala Agni's (forest fire units) operations centers, covering personnel, equipment, and logistics.
Throughout January 2026, a total of 225 fire operations were carried out, successfully containing fires across a total area of approximately 600 hectares.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Forestry continues to strengthen the Fire Care Community (MPA) as the frontline of fire prevention at the grassroots level. This includes providing training and infrastructure, as well as carrying out the dissemination of information on non-burning land clearing methods.
According to data from the ministry's SiPongi system, the total area affected by forest and land fires in 2025 was 359,619.42 hectares, marking a steady decline from 376,805.05 hectares in 2024 and 1,161,192.90 hectares in 2023.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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