Facing the 2026 Dry Season and Preventing Forest and Land Fires, Forestry Minister Raja Antoni: Beware of Early Dry Season - Do Not Burn Land
The government held a coordination meeting on forest and land fires (karhutla) to strengthen prevention and handling measures. According to BMKG data, drought in 2026 is expected to occur earlier and last longer.
The meeting was chaired by Forestry Minister Raja Antoni at the Ministry of Forestry office in Jakarta on Monday (6/4). Attendees included BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani, Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki, and BNPB Deputy for Emergency Handling Major General TNI Budi Irawan.
Forestry Minister Raja Antoni stressed that 2026 is anticipated to present greater challenges than previous years. He also revealed that indications of an early dry season have been detected since the beginning of the year in several vulnerable areas.
“This year will see an earlier and longer drought, so the likelihood of forest and land fires compared to last year, in 2025, will be more threatening to us collectively in 2026,” said Raja Antoni after the meeting.
“We have identified early dry conditions in Riau and West Kalimantan from January to April. Information needs to be disseminated to the public not to play with fire, as the risks are very high,” he added.
The government spotlighted the practice of land clearing by burning as a primary cause of karhutla. According to the Forestry Minister, such actions are highly dangerous and have become a serious concern for law enforcement authorities.
“Land clearing is dangerous, and we have coordinated with the police to take immediate action, which is currently in process,” emphasised Forestry Minister Raja Antoni.
Furthermore, he warned of the broad impacts of karhutla, not only on the environment but also on community life. In prevention efforts, the government underscored the importance of public education and strict field monitoring. Public outreach is key to ensuring that land burning practices are no longer carried out, especially in identified drought-prone areas.
In addition, Forestry Minister Raja Antoni noted that the success in controlling karhutla to date is inseparable from strong cross-sectoral coordination. The use of science-based data is also being enhanced, including weather modification technology to reduce fire risks.
“Our success so far is partly due to the strong coordination and collaboration among ministries and agencies, which runs well between central and regional levels. We hope that karhutla figures improve year on year, and this year we can suppress them collectively,” he said.
On the same occasion, BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani stated that the government is now focusing on preventive actions. Teuku said he supports Forestry Minister Raja Antoni in coordinating so that all parties can work together to prevent and handle karhutla.
“If previously it was curative, now it is preventive. We strongly support Mr Forestry Minister in trying to coordinate so that we can all work in the same step,” he said.