Minister Notes Public Help in Curbing Forest and Land Fires

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni commended the public for supporting forest and land fire control efforts, saying the recent decline in hotspots reflects collaborative work, including growing public awareness of the dangers of land burning.

He said controlling forest and land fires requires more than extinguishing flames in the field, noting that the public’s role in preventing fires from starting is crucial in reducing incidents.

“So, if the figures are down today, it is due to all these combined factors. I extend my gratitude to the Indonesian people, especially in light of today’s data,” Minister Raja Juli said at the Ministry of Forestry office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

He added that public awareness of avoiding land clearing or preparation through burning is part of broader efforts to prevent forest and land fires. The government continues to implement various control measures, from hotspot monitoring to on‑the‑ground fire suppression operations.

Hotspot trends throughout August showed improvements in several regions. In Riau, the number of hotspots was recorded at zero for two consecutive days, August 30 and 31.

Recent developments in Central and West Kalimantan also indicate a downward trend. “Praise be to God, the trend regarding our month‑long effort to control forest and land fires is improving,” Minister Raja Juli said.

Despite these positive developments, the minister urged all parties not to let their guard down. The government and the public were asked to remain vigilant, as efforts to control forest and land fires must continue.

He emphasized that successfully curbing forest and land fires requires collaboration among all stakeholders. The government, security forces, local authorities, and the public must continue working together to prevent such fires. (Misni Parjiati)