2,713 Hectares Burnt in Three Months, Riau Declares Forest and Land Fire Emergency Alert

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded a total area of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province reaching 2,713.26 hectares over the past three months, from 1 January to 24 March 2026. Head of the BNPB Centre for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Abdul Muhari, stated that this figure is an accumulation of data as of Wednesday (25/3), showing an increasing trend in burnt areas at several strategic points. The BNPB Central Directorate of Operational Control confirmed, based on the latest reporting period received, that additional burnt areas have occurred significantly in Siak Regency, Pelalawan Regency, Indragiri Hulu Regency, and Indragiri Hilir Regency. “The Riau Provincial Government has declared an emergency alert status for karhutla, effective until Sunday, 30 November, to accelerate field coordination,” said Abdul, quoting Antara on Thursday (26/3). BNPB, together with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni teams from the Ministry of Forestry in the Sumatra region, and related parties, continues to carry out intensive emergency response efforts, including extinguishing fire points via land routes and air operations using helicopters. In addition to firefighting, the joint team is focusing on evacuating smoke-affected residents, recording losses, fulfilling basic needs, and increasing routine patrols in areas classified as fire-prone zones. BNPB urges the public to remain vigilant against potential hydrometeorological disasters and calls for increased collective preparedness to prevent the expansion of forest and land fires in other vulnerable regions.