Dry season: 11 Riau districts declare emergency alert status for forest and land fires

Pekanbaru, (ANTARA) – Eleven districts in Riau Province have declared emergency alert status for forest and land fires (karhutla) as a precaution against the dry season.

Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency and Fire Department (BPBD Damkar) Head of Disaster Management and Logistics Jim Gafur said both the provincial government and 11 districts have declared the status, with only Kuansing yet to follow suit.

‘If the status is declared, coordination and aid delivery will be easier, so fire management will be faster. We hope Kuansing will also declare the status,’ he said in Pekanbaru on Monday.

Sumatra Forest and Land Fire Control Agency Head Ferdian Krisnanto said field conditions present challenges including strong winds, dry vegetation, and peatland characteristics complicating firefighting.

‘The Manggala Agni team is working to the best of their ability at all fire sites. Despite challenging weather and difficult terrain, personnel are focused on extinguishing and cooling efforts to ensure fires are fully controlled,’ he added.