BNPB warns that potential forest and land fires are beginning to emerge in several regions

Jakarta – The National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) has warned that the potential for forest and land fires (karhutla) is beginning to emerge in several regions, even as a predominance of wet hydrometeorological disasters continues to affect various areas. Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB’s Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, told reporters in Jakarta on Saturday that the threat of karhutla had begun to be observed in South Sulawesi, specifically in Luwu Timur district on Thursday (5 March). The BNPB Directorate for Operations Control reported that the fire burned about five hectares of mineral land in Luwu Timur, requiring a rapid response by joint officers to prevent the blaze from spreading to surrounding plantations or protected forests. According to Abdul, firefighting efforts and containment were being carried out by field joint teams to prevent the fire from expanding and causing greater impacts on the environment and local communities. Separately, he noted that a decline in rainfall in several regions such as Riau and West Kalimantan is also increasing the potential for karhutla to a moderate level. BNPB, therefore, continues to strengthen coordination with the Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) at various levels to ensure faster emergency response and to maintain accurate data on the impacts of incidents on the ground. In addition, the government emphasises the importance of early prevention measures through hotspot monitoring and increasing the readiness of personnel in fire-prone areas. BNPB urges the public not to burn land for any reason and to report even the smallest hotspot to local authorities immediately to prevent broader haze disasters.