The emergence of signals for a Super El Ni\u00f1o, or \u2018Godzilla El Ni\u00f1o\u2019,\nis predicted to trigger prolonged drought that increases the potential\nfor forest and land fires (karhutla). An expert from Bogor Agricultural\nInstitute (IPB), Bambang Hero Saharjo, has reminded that this year\u2019s\nsituation requires extra serious attention and proactive steps before\nhaze smoke engulfs the archipelago.<\/p>\n
The term \u2018Super El Ni\u00f1o\u2019 refers to the phenomenon of sea surface\ntemperature warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean reaching at least\n2.7\u00b0C above average. Its impacts are significant, causing shifts in\nglobal atmospheric circulation that trigger extreme weather.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this 2.7\u00b0C condition, this is exactly like the 1997-1998 fire\nincident, where 10-11 million hectares of land burned and 500 lives were\nlost,\u201d said Bambang while inspecting karhutla with Riau Police Chief\nInspector General Herry Heryawan in Bengkalis, Riau, on Friday\n(3\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
During the inspection, Bambang highlighted the water level in the\nditch, which was more than 40 centimetres. \u201cMeanwhile, the safe\ncondition should be less than 40 centimetres,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Bambang, more comprehensive mitigation is needed to face\nthe Super El Ni\u00f1o threat. Because, in his view, this Super El Ni\u00f1o\nphenomenon has the potential to cause even more severe karhutla.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it will get worse, drier, and we will lack water,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Based on the latest study published in Nature Communications (2025),\nearly warnings and proactive steps are absolutely key. Bambang stressed\nthat surveillance priorities must focus on traditional vulnerable areas\nbut with heightened vigilance.<\/p>\n
\u201cFire locations besides Sumatra and Kalimantan also include Nusa\nTenggara and other provinces that will soon enter the dry season,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
Bambang then mentioned the Green Policing programme initiated by Riau\nPolice Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan. According to him, the\nstrategic steps by Riau Police in massive tree planting can prevent\nworse karhutla.<\/p>\n
\u201cRiau Police has implemented Green Policing, tree planting and so on.\nBecause why, the fires that occur must be balanced with tree planting.\nIf this is not done, then the emissions we have calculated must be\nrevised again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the greenhouse gas emissions we release must be controlled\nwith planting, and Riau Police Chief has done that, even though it looks\nlike \u2018playing around\u2019 planting\u2026planting\u2026planting, but if we look at it\nscientifically, that is the way to suppress greenhouse gas emissions,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Collaborative Handling<\/p>\n
On the same occasion, Inspector General Herry Heryawan emphasised\nthat karhutla handling cannot be done partially. He stressed the\nimportance of cross-agency synergy to anticipate karhutla.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here to provide motivation and encouragement. This\nfirefighting effort is a joint commitment involving Riau Police, Kodam\nTuanku Tambusai, Local Government, Manggala Agni, Fire Concerned\nCommunity (MPA), up to BPBD,\u201d said the Police Chief at the firefighting\nlocation.<\/p>\n
According to him, searching for fire hotspots must be done\nstrategically and systematically so that the fire does not spread to\nother areas, especially amid the current Super El Ni\u00f1o threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe move together to search for fire hotspots strategically, the goal\nis so that there is no spread to other places,\u201d he added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/threat-of-super-el-nino-expert-warns-of-potential-forest-and-land-fires-like-in-97-1775217045", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }