Over 500 Personnel on Standby to Prevent Forest Fires in Central Java Ahead of Peak Dry Season

The Ministry of Forestry, together with the Central Java Provincial Government, has placed more than 500 joint personnel on standby to anticipate forest and land fires (karhutla) during the peak of the 2026 dry season. Preparedness was reinforced through a forest and land fire control readiness drill at the Indra Prastha Campsite in Boyolali Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday (24/6/2026). The drill was organised by the Ministry of Forestry through the Forest Fire Control Centre for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Region (Balai Dalkarhut Jabalnusra), the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement, together with the Central Java Provincial Government, the Ministry of Environment, and Perum Perhutani. The activity involved various elements, ranging from central and regional governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Perhutani, Manggala Agni, Fire-Aware Community groups (MPA), social forestry groups, conservation cadres, nature-loving students, Pramuka Saka Wanabakti, academics, development partners, and the general public. Head of the Central Java Environment and Forestry Service, Heru Djatmika, stated that the readiness of personnel, infrastructure, coordination channels, and initial field response must be strengthened before the risk of forest and land fires increases during the peak of the dry season. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts the peak of the 2026 dry season will occur from July to September. Central Java also has experience from 2023, when the El Niño phenomenon contributed to forest and land fires covering 9,965.59 hectares. ‘Central Java must be ready before the fire appears. This drill is a sign that all elements must now be moving, from regional governments, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Environment, Perhutani, the TNI, Polri, BPBD, Manggala Agni, MPA, to communities living around the forest. What we are building is not just a parade line, but readiness to work in the field,’ said Heru in a Ministry of Forestry press release. As part of the activities, the Balai Dalkarhut Jabalnusra, together with Manggala Agni and MPA, presented a simulation of forest fire suppression and an inspection of fire control facilities and infrastructure. The simulation demonstrated personnel readiness, equipment usage, team coordination, and initial response steps when fire indications are detected. Director of Forest Fire Control at the Ministry of Forestry, Thomas Nifinluri, said that forest fire control must rely on early detection and rapid response. ‘The key to controlling forest and land fires lies in early prevention. Manggala Agni together with MPA strengthen patrols, hotspot monitoring, infrastructure readiness, and initial response. Small fires must be quickly identified, quickly reported, and quickly handled before they become large fires,’ said Thomas. According to Thomas, forest and land fires not only damage vegetation but also impact public health, air quality, water source availability, ecosystems, and socio-economic activities. Therefore, fire control requires the involvement of various parties, especially communities living around forest areas. Regional Inspector I of the Ministry of Forestry, who also serves as Chair of the Supervisory Task Force Assistance Team for Forest Fire Control within the Ministry of Forestry for 2026 for Central Java, East Java, and Yogyakarta Special Region, Sultrarini Rahayu, stated that forest fire control must be carried out collaboratively. According to Sultrarini, prevention and handling efforts cannot be undertaken by the Ministry of Forestry alone but require support from regional governments, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the TNI, Polri, MPA, communities around forests, and various other related parties. Meanwhile, Head of Balai Dalkarhut Jabalnusra, Bambang Setyo Antoko, said that prevention measures continue to be strengthened through integrated patrols, MPA development, human resource capacity building, hotspot monitoring, and coordination with regional governments and stakeholders. The Ministry of Forestry urges the public not to clear land by burning, not to burn rubbish or residual activity materials around forest areas, and to report immediately if they find indications of hotspots. According to the Ministry of Forestry, the success of forest fire prevention depends heavily on early vigilance, the speed of information dissemination, initial field response, and the active participation of the community in protecting forest areas during the dry season.