BNPB Reinforces Ground Task Force to Tackle Forest Fires in South Sumatra

RRI.CO.ID, Palembang - Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has called on district and city governments in South Sumatra to strengthen their Ground Task Forces for forest and land fire response by adding personnel according to needs on the ground. The measure is aimed at strengthening firefighting efforts as forest and land fires continue to occur in several parts of South Sumatra.

BNPB Chief Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto said additional personnel are needed to ensure that forest and land fire response and suppression can be carried out effectively. He made the statement during a Coordination Meeting on Forest and Land Fire Management in South Sumatra on Tuesday September 15, 2026.

He asked district and city governments to immediately submit requests for additional personnel if the strength of their Ground Task Forces remains insufficient. He said each team should ideally consist of 15 personnel equipped with adequate equipment to support firefighting operations.

“One team consists of 15 people with adequate equipment to extinguish fires as effectively as possible,” Suharyanto said. He added that the teams should be formed immediately in areas requiring additional support, with the government ready to assist with equipment based on field needs.

Meanwhile, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, said forest and land fire response is also supported by ready-to-use funds to accelerate operations in the field. The funds can be used to provide equipment, respond to fires, and mitigate the impacts of forest and land fires, including their effects on public health.

Raja Juli said the distribution of the funds must be carried out promptly while maintaining accountability and transparency. The government has also prepared technical guidelines to ensure the funds can be disbursed quickly and used to strengthen forest and land fire response efforts in affected areas.

As of September 13, 2026, a total of 2,837 forest and land fire incidents had been recorded in South Sumatra, with Ogan Komering Ilir, Musi Banyuasin, Ogan Ilir, Banyuasin, and Muara Enim identified as priority areas for response. Meanwhile, data as of September 14 showed that 404.22 hectares of land had been burned, with 289.97 hectares extinguished by Ground Task Forces and another 30 hectares handled by aerial task forces.

The government continues to adjust personnel strength, equipment availability, and budgetary support according to forest and land fire conditions in each area. Stronger coordination among local governments, the military, police, and other relevant agencies is expected to accelerate response efforts while reducing the risk of fires spreading and affecting communities.