APHI States Forest Concession Holders are Implementing Forest and Land Fire Preparedness
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association (APHI) has stated that its members, who hold Forest Area Utilisation Business Licences (PBPH), have implemented preparedness and control measures for forest and land fires (karhutla) within their respective working areas.
APHI General Chairman Soewarso stated that these measures include patrols, hot spot monitoring, early detection, personnel and equipment readiness, field inspections, and rapid response capabilities upon detecting fire indications. “PBPH holders are not merely preparing to support, but have already implemented standard operating procedures (SOP) for forest and land fire preparedness and control,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
APHI members are also undertaking prevention efforts through community education and collaboration with various stakeholders in fire control, he added. Prevention efforts also include educating the public on the dangers and impacts of forest fires, fostering Fire Care Communities (Masyarakat Peduli Api), and increasing awareness to ensure that land clearing and management are not conducted through burning.
Previously, the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, requested all PBPH holders to increase preparedness and participate actively in the prevention and control of forest and land fires, particularly in facing the peak of extreme weather in September 2026. Increased preparedness is necessary to protect PBPH working areas, forest zones, communities, and air quality from the impacts of forest fires.
The Ministry of Forestry is also strengthening coordination with local governments, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Polri (National Police), Manggala Agni, Fire Care Communities, the business world, and other stakeholders. “Evaluation results throughout August show an improving trend in handling across several regions,” Raja Juli Antoni said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (1/9).
Despite showing positive progress, the Minister of Forestry warned all parties not to become complacent. September is a crucial period, meaning vigilance, readiness of personnel and equipment, early detection, and firefighting coordination must continue to be strengthened.
Responding to this, Soewarlo emphasised that APHI members continue to strengthen their support for government directives, including through the application of standard operating procedures (SOP) for forest and land fire preparedness and control in their respective working areas. According to Soewarso, the implementation of these SOPs is being continuously reinforced through coordination with the Ministry of Forestry, local governments, TNI, Polri, Manggala Agni, Fire Care Communities, and other stakeholders at the ground level.
APHI has also issued a circular to all members to increase vigilance, ensure resource readiness, and optimise all anticipatory and mitigation steps regarding forest fires. “The circular reinforces the steps already taken by members. We request all PBPH holders to continue increasing patrols, early detection, personnel and infrastructure readiness, community education, and coordination with all parties,” said Soewarso.
APHI members are also encouraged to support one another and work collectively, including assisting in fire management outside of concession areas as required and in coordination with the government, he said. “A landscape-based approach is necessary because fire and smoke do not recognise administrative or company working area boundaries,” he added.
APHI is also strengthening cooperation with the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) to support cross-sector coordination in the prevention and control of forest and land fires. This collaboration is directed towards information exchange, increasing the readiness of personnel and equipment, supporting firefighting both within and outside concession areas, and educating the community while maintaining coordination with the government and relevant stakeholders.
According to him, collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry, APHl, PBPH, security forces, local governments, and the community is expected to strengthen the implementation of SOPs at the ground level, accelerate the handling of every hot spot, and protect forests and communities during the peak period of forest fire vulnerability.