KBRN, Jakarta: The government has deployed 195 personnel to West Kalimantan to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla), as Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurrofiq warned that the August 2025 dry season is highly susceptible to triggering hotspots.

The deployment followed a readiness rally in Pontianak that brought together the Minister, the West Kalimantan Governor, military and police forces, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Manggala Agni fire brigade, and community fire care groups. Hanif expressed appreciation for the collective efforts that have kept the province free of hotspots so far but urged everyone not to become complacent.

The 195 personnel, drawn from government, private sector, and community groups, will be equipped with pump trucks, fire engines, and high-pressure pumps for their field duties. Hanif explained that the team will focus on patrols, re-wetting peatlands, early detection, and direct community outreach.

The Minister emphasized that prevention is the core strategy, in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directive for early mitigation. "Mitigation must be strengthened, from law enforcement against land burning to re-wetting peatlands through canal blocking," he said, adding that he also encourages research into "burn-free" planting and publicizing Regional Regulation No. 1/2022.

West Kalimantan’s geography poses a major challenge, with 2.7 million hectares of peatland, approximately 19 percent of the province, highly susceptible to fire. Hanif emphasized that extinguishing fires in these areas demands “extraordinary effort.”

He concluded by underscoring that prevention is significantly more effective than suppression.

West Kalimantan’s geography poses a major challenge, with 2.7 million hectares of peatland, approximately 19 percent of the province,— highly susceptible to fire. Hanif emphasized that extinguishing fires in these areas demands “extraordinary effort.”

He concluded by underscoring that prevention is significantly more effective than suppression.

West Kalimantan's geography presents a significant challenge, with 2.7 million hectares of peatland, making up about 19 percent of the province. These areas are extremely vulnerable to fire, and Hanif stressed that extinguishing them requires "extraordinary effort."

He concluded by reiterating that prevention is far more effective than suppression. ***

Translator: Naura Sofia

Editor: Sri Wahyuni