Riau Zero Forest and Land Fires, Task Force Remains on Alert to Prevent Re-emergence
The handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province is showing positive progress. As of today, there are no active fires being managed across the Riau region.
This situation represents a significant development after joint teams have been struggling with firefighting and cooling operations in several areas over recent weeks, particularly in peatland areas that require prolonged handling.
The Head of the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Edy Afrizal, stated that forest and land fires in Riau are currently under control. Although there are no active fires, all elements are maintaining readiness to anticipate any re-emergence of flames.
“Alhamdulillah, today the condition in Riau is zero forest and land fires. There are no active fires currently being handled. However, all personnel remain on alert and monitoring continues because field conditions can change at any time,” Edy said in a statement on Sunday (27/09/2026).
According to him, the increasingly controlled fire situation is the result of collaborative efforts by all parties on the ground. Fire suppression, cooling, and patrols are being carried out continuously to ensure that previously burnt locations do not flare up again.
“Joint personnel remain on full alert, conducting monitoring to prevent follow-up fires in previously affected areas,” said Edy.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations for the Riau Regional Police, Kombes Akmadi, stated that the zero-fire condition does not mean the authorities are relaxing prevention measures. Patrols and supervision continue, especially in high-risk areas and peatland zones.
“We must maintain zero forest and land fires today. Personnel continue to move, conducting patrols and prevention. We must not allow vigilance to decrease once the situation is controlled, leading to the fire re-emerging,” said Akmadi.
The Riau Regional Police are also prioritising preventive measures through community socialisation and monitoring activities that have the potential to trigger fires.
The public is reminded once again not to clear or prepare land by burning and to report immediately if any indications of fire are found. According to Akmadi, the zero-fire status should serve as a momentum to keep Riau free from forest and land fires.
“Collaboration between local government, the TNI-Polri, BPBD, Manggala Agni, the business community, and the public remains the key to ensuring that fires do not recur,” concluded Akmadi.