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. He said the reduction in hotspots results from collaborative work, including increased public awareness of the dangers of land burning.

He said controlling forest and land fires requires more than extinguishing flames in the field. The public's role in preventing fires from starting is also crucial in reducing the number of incidents.

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

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

He stated that hotspot trends throughout August showed a decline in several regions. In Riau, the number of hotspots was recorded at zero for two consecutive days, August 30 and 31.

Meanwhile, the latest developments in Central and West Kalimantan also indicate a downward trend in hotspots. "Praise be to God, the trend regarding the month-long struggle to control forest and land fires is improving," said Minister Raja Juli.

Despite these positive developments, the Forestry Minister urged all parties not to let their guard down. The government and the public are asked to maintain high vigilance, 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)