Karanganyar Regency and Perhutani Hold Forest Fire Alert Drill on Mount Lawu

The Karanganyar Regency Government has moved swiftly to address the threat of forest and land fires in the Mount Lawu area. Entering the peak of the dry season in August to September 2026, the local government, together with various agencies, held a Forest and Land Fire Alert Drill on the slopes of Lawu in Kemuning on Monday (3/8). This preventive measure involved joint personnel from the Surakarta KPH fire volunteers, Basarnas, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the Indonesian National Police. The heightened readiness was triggered by the emergence of several forest fire cases in the Lawu area within the Ponorogo region of East Java, as well as the drought alert status issued by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency for the Karanganyar area. Karanganyar Regent Rober Christanto stated that the potential for fires has increased sharply due to the El Niño phenomenon, which has exacerbated dry conditions. Beyond natural factors, he highlighted human negligence as the main trigger. “We are responding quickly. Today’s alert drill is a form of readiness to care for and protect forests and land from the threat of fire, not only on Mount Lawu but also in other areas,” said Rober while leading the drill. According to reports received, fires are often sparked by carelessly discarded cigarette butts and charcoal-making activities by communities around the Lawu forest. Consequently, routine patrols during vulnerable hours are now being intensified by the joint team. As a long-term solution, the Karanganyar Regency Government is following up on a proposal to build embung, or water reservoirs, in the upper forest areas. This facility is expected to facilitate firefighting efforts if a fire breaks out in hard-to-reach terrain. The Administratur of KPH Surakarta, Agus Supriyanto Gandasari, expressed full support for the plan, stating that it aligns with the Minister of Forestry Regulation Number 7. “Perhutani is ready to fully support the permit for area utilisation if it is officially submitted by the regional government. We will forward this proposal to the Ministry of Forestry for permit facilitation,” Agus explained. Meanwhile, KPH Surakarta has also appreciated the role of local military and police officers who have successfully educated charcoal craftsmen on the slopes of Lawu. Effective coordination has proven capable of reducing charcoal production activities that pose a fire risk. However, firm action remains prepared for violators. Karanganyar Police Chief AKBP Arman Sahti warned the public against burning land, whether intentionally or not. “The police will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone proven to have started a fire on the slopes of Mount Lawu. Our personnel on the slopes have been placed on standby to assist with forest patrols to ensure the area remains safe,” Arman concluded.