Antara News·Indonesia·Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 03:52 PM

VP calls for intensified patrols to prevent wildfires through 2027

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Tumpal Andani, Raka Adji

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called for intensified forest and land fire prevention patrols as the El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist into early 2027 and requires early, sustained vigilance.

Speaking during a working visit to Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Thursday, Gibran urged all stakeholders to enhance preparedness against potential fires during the prolonged dry period.

"Step up prevention patrols, enhance coordination, and bring all stakeholders on board," he instructed.

He emphasized that intensified prevention patrols are necessary to detect hotspots early, allowing potential fires to be tackled before they spread and cause broader damage.

Such prevention efforts require cross-sector involvement, he added, noting that monitoring fire-prone areas cannot be carried out by a single institution alone, especially when weather conditions elevate fire risks.

The vice president also urged that any obstacles encountered during prevention efforts be addressed promptly and decisively, ensuring field challenges do not compromise the effectiveness of monitoring efforts.

In addition to stepping up patrols, Gibran urged local governments to bolster public outreach and education. This approach aims to ensure that fire prevention does not rely solely on law enforcement and officials, but is also driven by community awareness to avoid activities that could trigger blazes.

The vice president stressed that vigilance against wildfires must be maintained until high-risk conditions pass, with priority given to prevention through regular patrols, close coordination, and active community participation.

Forest and land fires have broken out across various regions in Indonesia, including Kalimantan, as the country faces a more intense dry season triggered by a strong El Niño phenomenon.

The government has set six provinces as priorities: Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau, South Sumatra, and Jambi.

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