"The public should not 'play' with fire. If they play with fire, they will get burned," Antoni said here on Monday.
The government predicts the dry season in 2026 will occur earlier and be longer.
From January to April 2026, an early drought occurred in Riau and West Kalimantan.
"This year there will be an earlier and longer drought. Therefore, compared to last year, the possibility of forest and land fires in 2026 will be more threatening,” Antoni noted.
The Forestry Ministry has coordinated with the National Police to strengthen cooperation in preventing and managing land clearing.
"It seems the pattern is still the same: it is an easy way for communities or companies to clear land, but it is dangerous,” he stated.
Antoni said he also continued to improve coordination between related ministries and agencies to prevent possible forest and land fires.
"The public, especially companies, must be more vigilant and careful in the land clearing process, because land clearing will directly impact the increase in forest and land fires," he warned.
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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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