Jambi Governor Reveals 80 Per Cent of Forest Fires Likely Deliberately Set, 18 Suspects Identified
Forest and land fires (karhutla) in Jambi Province continue to draw significant attention. Of the dozens of cases handled by authorities, the majority of fires are suspected to be caused by human activity rather than natural causes.
Jambi Governor Al Haris revealed that the police have followed up on 75 forest fire cases. Based on law enforcement reports and field monitoring, approximately 80 per cent of the burnt land is suspected to have been deliberately set on fire by certain individuals.
“Based on law enforcement reports, 80 per cent of the burnt land was intentionally set on fire by certain parties, while the remaining 20 per cent resulted from other triggers such as extreme heat,” Al Haris said in Jambi on Monday, 14 September 2026.
Of these 75 cases, 50 are still in the investigation stage, while 15 cases have progressed to the investigation phase, with authorities having named 18 individuals as suspects.
This legal action is being carried out while large areas of Jambi remain affected by forest fires. According to data from the Forest Fire Task Force, the total area burnt between 1 January and 13 September has reached 2,975.97 hectares.
The situation on the ground remains a concern as several hotspots have been detected in various regions. Recent monitoring recorded 134 hotspots and four primary fire spots that are currently the focus of firefighting efforts.
These four fire points are located in Sungai Aur Village, Kumpeh District; Mingkung Jaya Village, Sungai Gelante District; Ladang Peris Village, Bajubang District; and the Berbak and Sembilang National Park (TNBS) area near Tanah Pilih Village, Banyuasin II District, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra.
To control the flames, the Forest Fire Task Force has deployed personnel through both land and air firefighting operations. Four water-bombing helicopters have been utilised to reach fire points that are difficult to access via ground methods.
In addition to firefighting operations, the government is also conducting weather modification operations (OMC) in an effort to increase rainfall potential in the affected areas.
During the implementation of the OMC, the air task force has completed 41 cloud seeding sorties to trigger rainfall. The most recent seeding took place on 10 September and will continue based on the potential for rain clouds as monitored by the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency).
Furthermore, forest fire management has been strengthened by the establishment of posts in several regions. A total of 81 forest fire prevention posts are currently operational, involving 7,302 joint personnel.