Muara Pahu Police Sector in Kubar Enhances Patrols and Community Education to Prevent Forest and Land Fires
Efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) continue to be carried out by the Muara Pahu Police Sector under the Kutai Barat Police Resort (Kubar), East Kalimantan, through routine patrols and educational activities on karhutla for the Muara Pahu community. This initiative also serves as anticipation against fires resulting from the dry season due to the El Nino phenomenon in 2026.
Kapolres Kubar, AKBP Boney Wahyu Wicaksono, through Muara Pahu Police Chief Ipda Dwi Yulistiono, on Monday (11/5), stated that the patrols are specifically conducted in areas prone to fire risks, in addition to targeting residential areas near forests and plantations.
“The dialogic patrol activities are a routine agenda continuously carried out by personnel in the field as a form of Polri’s commitment to protecting the environment and public safety from the impacts of karhutla,” he said.
During implementation, the police chief explained, police personnel provide direct warnings to the community to avoid opening land by burning and to refrain from actions that could spark fires, such as discarding cigarette butts carelessly.
“We continue to remind the community to be more vigilant against the potential for land and forest fires. The impacts of karhutla are significant, ranging from health disruptions due to haze to environmental damage,” he added.
In addition to education, the patrols also serve to strengthen communication between Polri and the community. Residents are urged to immediately report to Bhabinkamtibmas or the police sector if they spot any fire points or indications of fire, no matter how small, so they can be handled promptly.
He further noted that early prevention is the most effective step to minimise karhutla risks in the Muara Pahu Subdistrict. The presence of officers among the community is expected to enhance collective awareness in preserving the environment.
According to him, the preventive efforts by Muara Pahu Police Sector have been quite successful, as evidenced by the appreciation from the community, who view the activities as active in providing education while maintaining security and environmental sustainability in a conducive manner. “The hope is that the Muara Pahu region remains safe and free from forest or land fires,” he concluded.