Riau Detects 46 Hotspots, Indragiri Hilir Leads Fire Alert

RRI.CO.ID, Pekanbaru, - Fire monitoring efforts in Riau Province have intensified following the detection of 46 hotspots across the province, with Indragiri Hilir emerging as the primary concern.

Data released by the Pekanbaru Station of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicates a significant concentration of heat signatures, signaling a heightened risk of forest and land fires amidst a period of dry weather.

According to BMKG Pekanbaru forecaster Yasir P, the distribution of these hotspots as of late Tuesday night, January 27, 2026, is widespread. While Indragiri Hilir recorded the highest count with 20 points, other areas are also under watch, including Bengkalis with 13 points, Pelalawan with 7, and Rokan Hilir with 4. Both Meranti Islands and Rokan Hulu each reported a single hotspot.

"This condition is a matter of concern as the weather forecast in Riau is still dominated by clear to cloudy skies, with the potential for light to moderate rain that is local in nature," said Yasir in Pekanbaru on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

In response to the data, local disaster authorities have confirmed that several fires have already broken out over the past week. M. Edy Afrizal, Head of the Riau Province Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), noted that while teams have been active on the ground, the situation is currently under control.

“There were indeed several fire spots, but thank God they have been extinguished. Some are completely out, though cooling operations are still being carried out in certain areas,” remarked Edy.

The combination of high hotspot counts and localized rainfall patterns has prompted authorities to maintain a high state of vigilance. This alert status is essential to prevent smaller fires from escalating into larger environmental hazards. ***