Ministry of Forestry Urges Bengkulu Provincial Government to Enhance Preparedness for Forest and Land Fires

The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has requested the Bengkulu Provincial Government not to wait for the certainty of El Niño or for emergency conditions to arise before increasing preparedness for forest and land fires (karhutla).

“We do not need to wait for the certainty of El Niño or for conditions to become an emergency to increase our preparations,” said Haruni Krisnawa, Expert Staff to the Minister of Forestry for Climate Change, in Bengkulu on Tuesday.

Haruni stated that Bengkulu is currently in a period that requires higher vigilance regarding the potential for forest and land fires. Although the monthly hotspot count detected in Bengkulu is relatively small compared to several other provinces, prevention efforts must remain a priority.

According to her, the incidence of forest and land fires can increase significantly during dry climate periods, including during El Niño. Therefore, readiness must be implemented early without waiting for an emergency situation.

“The principle we use is certainly early warning followed by early action,” she said.

Haruni explained that this principle must be applied through early warning, early detection, and early action. When hotspots are detected, the indication of increased risk must be immediately translated into increased patrols, the preparation of personnel and infrastructure, and field verification.

She also emphasised the importance of ensuring water source availability in areas prone to forest and land fires. According to her, limitations in infrastructure and the availability of water sources can become significant obstacles once a fire has already broken out.

In addition to infrastructure readiness, Haruni requested that companies and permit holders increase patrols and prepare personnel and equipment within their managed areas. Coordination with local communities must also be strengthened.

Furthermore, she noted that locations that experience repeated fires require special attention. The government and relevant stakeholders are urged to identify the causes of these fires so that the underlying issues can be resolved.

“If the causes are not addressed, we will continue to return to the same places to extinguish them,” Haruni concluded.