Border Forest Fires Become a Priority to Prevent Smoke from Entering Neighbouring Countries
The government is prioritising the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in border regions to prevent haze from crossing into neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki stated that from the beginning of the year until April 2026, fire suppression efforts are focused on several areas with high incidences of hotspots, particularly in Riau, Kepulauan Riau, and West Kalimantan.
“These regions are the main focus because they are adjacent to neighbouring countries. We are working hard to ensure that smoke does not cross national borders,” Rohmat said during a virtual event titled Youth Action to Prevent Karhutla on Wednesday (8/4).
According to him, cross-border smoke not only affects public health and activities, including air transportation, but also concerns Indonesia’s global reputation.
Based on projections from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, the 2026 dry season is expected to arrive earlier, starting in April and lasting until October. This condition could increase drought and heighten the risk of karhutla. Additionally, Indonesia is potentially facing a strengthening of the El Nino phenomenon in the middle to end of the year. This situation could worsen the dry land conditions that are prone to burning.
Rohmat reminded that previous experiences showed that forest and land fires can occur on a massive scale, causing cross-border haze. Similar incidents happened in 2015 and 2019, which burned millions of hectares of land.
Nevertheless, the government claims success in reducing the area of karhutla over the past two years. In 2025, the burned area was recorded at around 300,000 hectares, a significant decrease compared to previous years.
Control efforts are carried out through cross-sectoral collaboration, involving the TNI, Polri, BNPB, local governments, Manggala Agni, and fire-conscious communities. In addition to suppression, the government is strengthening preventive measures through technology-based hotspot monitoring, integrated patrols, and early warning systems. The public is also urged not to clear land by burning, which remains one of the main causes of karhutla.
“Prevention must be the main focus. Do not wait until the fire grows large before taking action,” said Rohmat.
He emphasised that controlling karhutla is not only the government’s responsibility but also requires active participation from the community, especially in vulnerable and border areas.