Herman Deru Ensures Forest and Land Fire Handling in South Sumatra Continues to Be Strengthened
South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru presented the progress of forest and land fire (karhutla) handling in South Sumatra to President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto during a limited meeting in Palembang on Monday (24/8).
In the meeting, Herman Deru explained the current condition of the fires as well as the various measures taken by the South Sumatra Provincial Government together with all relevant parties.
Herman Deru stated that the area affected by forest and land fires in South Sumatra had reached approximately 1,900 hectares. However, he noted that this figure was a cumulative total and that the current fire situation had significantly decreased thanks to the hard work of all parties.
“The 1,900 hectares is the total, Mr President. So, it has decreased significantly today. The remaining smoke in Palembang is because geographically Palembang is a basin area, so the smoke is indeed difficult to move,” said Herman Deru in his statement on Monday (24/8/2026).
He explained that fire handling involved all elements, from the TNI, Polri, regional governments, BPBD, companies, to the community.
According to Herman Deru, the number of hotspots had also decreased significantly in line with the joint suppression and prevention efforts.
“Hotspots now number only in the hundreds. But it should be understood that not all hotspots are fire spots. However, if it is a fire spot, it is definitely a hotspot,” he said.
Herman Deru also stated that the South Sumatra Provincial Government had consistently implemented the Minister of Home Affairs Instruction Number 1 of 2026 concerning the prohibition of land burning.
He assessed that public awareness in preventing forest and land fires was increasing. Nevertheless, South Sumatra still faced major challenges because it has extensive peatland areas.
“Our challenge is the extent of peatland, which reaches around 1.27 million hectares. Around 600 thousand hectares are in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency and around 600 thousand hectares are in Musi Banyuasin Regency. The rest is spread across six other regencies/cities,” he explained.
To strengthen control, the South Sumatra Provincial Government continued to improve coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and involved concession-holding companies to be responsible for their respective areas.
“We have instructed companies to be responsible for the first ring of their plantations and concession areas. Those who violate will be dealt with firmly, including licence revocation,” Herman Deru stressed.
In addition to prevention and suppression, the South Sumatra Provincial Government also continued control efforts through the construction and maintenance of peat water canals. These canals serve two functions: maintaining peat moisture and serving as a water source for water bombing needs.
“We have been greatly assisted by BNPB support. However, these canals need maintenance because sedimentation occurs, so care is needed to keep them functioning optimally,” he said.
In the limited meeting, Herman Deru also conveyed the need for additional fire handling facilities, particularly water bombing fleets, water pumps, and supporting equipment for personnel in the field.
“Currently there are five water bombing units operating and two units for patrol. Usually during hot weather, South Sumatra needs around nine units,” he revealed.
Herman Deru also reported that South Sumatra had built 12 borehole points. However, additional pump engines and hoses were still needed so that these water sources could be utilised optimally in fire handling.
Responding to these needs, Prabowo requested that the additional requirements be submitted immediately and approved support in the form of 500 boreholes and 500 water pump units with their accessories to assist fire handling in South Sumatra.
In addition, Prabowo appreciated the Babinsa personnel who modified cassava into a jelly-shaped fire extinguishing agent.
Prabowo also provided assistance in the form of 100 modified trail motorcycles capable of carrying light fire extinguishers (APAR).
Other support included 500 water pump units with hose lengths reaching one kilometre.
Furthermore, Prabowo also provided 20 excavator units. It is hoped that after the fire handling is complete, the excavators can be utilised by farmer group associations (Gapoktan).
Not only that, Prabowo confirmed that he would assist with two water bombing helicopters to accelerate the suppression of fire spots in South Sumatra.
The limited meeting was also attended by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Deputy Governor of South Sumatra Cik Ujang, Commander of Military Region II/Sriwijaya Major General TNI Ujang Darwis, South Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Sandi Nugroho, and members of the South Sumatra Regional Leadership Coordination Forum.