Muara Enim Disaster Management Agency reports 423.5 hectares of land burnt until September

The Muara Enim Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, has stated that the total area of land burnt in the local area has reached 423.5 hectares as of 1 September 2026.

“During the period from 29 May 2026 to the present, the area of land burnt in Muara Enim has been recorded at 423.5 hectares,” said the Head of Muara Enim BPBD, Abdurrozieq Putra, in a written statement received from Palembang on Wednesday.

He noted that the burnt land resulted from 109 separate forest and land fire (karhutla) incidents occurring during this period.

The areas affected by these fires during the dry season include the districts of Gelumbang, Kelekar, Gunung Megang, Muara Enim, Sungai Rotan, and Lawang Kidul.

He further specified that the Gelumbang district experienced the highest number of fires, affecting several villages including Pinang Banjar, Tabung Kelekar, Kerta Mulya, Suka Menang, Teluk Limau, and Gumai.

According to Putra, the high frequency of these land fire incidents has placed Muara Enim Regency in the ‘red zone’ for forest and land fires.

In response to this red zone status, a command post has been established, involving regional apparatus and relevant agencies according to their respective duties and functions.

Muara Enim BPBD has activated a fire prevention post equipped with adequate tools, including the deployment of a 50-person task force for fire management.

This task force consists of 30 personnel from the Rapid Reaction Team and 20 civil servants from relevant local agencies, supported by personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Indonesian National Police, and Manggala Agni.

“Let us work together to preserve nature and the surrounding environment to prevent the occurrence of forest and land fires,” he concluded.