Patrol by Brebes Police Extinguishes Land Fire on Pejagan Toll Road KM 248
A land fire occurred in the area of the Pejagan Toll Road KM 248, Brebes Regency, on Thursday (23/7/2026). The incident serves as a crucial reminder that the potential for forest and land fires (karhutla) remains very high during the dry season. Fortunately, thanks to the rapid response of Brebes Police Samapta Unit personnel, the fire was brought under control before it could spread and cause greater impact on toll road users.
The incident began when the patrol team received a public report about a fire in the rice fields around the toll road section. Upon arriving at the location, officers found thick smoke that had the potential to spread quickly due to the hot weather and strong winds. To speed up the handling, an Armoured Water Cannon (AWC) vehicle was deployed to the site to extinguish the fire completely.
In response to the incident, Central Java Police Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Artanto, appealed to the public not to burn land, rubbish, or agricultural residue carelessly. According to an analysis by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), most areas of Central Java have entered the peak of the dry season, which is expected to last until August 2026. This condition is influenced by the strengthening of the Australian Monsoon, which brings dry air masses, causing hotter daytime temperatures with low humidity. “These weather conditions make open land and dry vegetation highly susceptible to fire. A small fire can quickly grow and spread to other areas,” Artanto stated on Sunday (26/7).
Evaluation data from the Central Java Police shows a worrying trend. Within the period of 1 to 11 July 2026, there were 16 land fire incidents across various regions in Central Java. The majority of these incidents occurred between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Western Indonesia Time, when temperatures reach their highest point. Artanto stressed that the incident in Brebes is clear evidence of the need for vigilance from all parties. “The success of Brebes Police personnel in controlling the fire is commendable. However, prevention is more important to ensure similar fires do not recur,” he said.
Central Java Police have now instructed all units to increase patrols in fire-prone areas and during critical hours. The police are also strengthening coordination with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Fire Service, the State Forestry Corporation (Perhutani), and village governments for early detection of fire hotspots. In closing, the Head of Public Relations invited the public to play an active role in protecting the environment. “Do not wait for the fire to grow. If you see a fire or dangerous burning activity, report it immediately to the police or relevant agencies so it can be dealt with quickly,” he concluded.