Joint Task Force Clears Canal Barriers to Prevent Kerumutan Forest and Land Fires from Spreading

Efforts to extinguish and cool forest and land fires in Kerumutan Village, Pelalawan Regency, are being intensified. Entering the 25th day of operations, around 500 joint personnel have been deployed to localise the movement of the fire to prevent it from spreading further.

Pelalawan Police Chief AKBP John Louis Letedara said that teams in the field are focused on maintaining defensive positions along the canal barrier to hold back the fire front.

“As can be seen, the fire front has reached the canal barrier at this location. Our hope is that the fire does not cross over,” said AKBP John Louis in a statement on Monday (24/8/2026).

As a precautionary measure to prevent the fire from spreading, joint personnel are clearing the canal barriers. Strong winds and peatland terrain are posing challenges to the firefighting efforts.

“We are clearing the canal barriers and then extinguishing the fire spots in this area. The obstacles we face are strong winds and the fact that the land is peatland, which accelerates the spread of fire,” he added.

John said the total area of burned land has reached 700 hectares. To date, 50 per cent has been successfully extinguished.

“As for equipment, there are 15 units of heavy machinery in use, and more heavy equipment continues to arrive as assistance,” he added.

John Louis expressed appreciation to the TNI and Forkopimda for their cooperation in the firefighting efforts in Kerumutan. Additional personnel will also be sent to accelerate the handling of the fire.

“We thank all parties who have assisted in the firefighting activities. Personnel numbers continue to grow today. The Governor has dispatched personnel from the Civil Service Police Unit, and the Head of the Provincial Civil Service Police Unit has also joined us on the ground,” he concluded.