South Sumatra Police and APHI Strengthen Fire Prevention Ahead of the 2026 Dry Season
The South Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumatra Selatan) has joined forces with the Indonesian Forestry Entrepreneurs Association (APHI) to strengthen preparedness against forest and land fires (karhutla) during the 2026 dry season, particularly in the peatland areas of South Sumatra which are assessed as highly vulnerable. The strengthening is being conducted through the 2026 Fire Prevention and Mitigation Training held at Jakabaring Sport City, Palembang.
The event involved officers from the Sumatra Selatan Polres, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni, company Fire Response Units (RPK), and other stakeholders.
Head of Operations of Polda Sumatra Selatan, Muhammad Anis Prasetio Santoso, stated that the vast extent of peatlands in South Sumatra requires special handling because peat fire characteristics differ from ordinary land fires. “The peatlands in Sumsel are extensive, and we must know how to tackle fires on peatland with their various characteristics. At present, partner companies of APP Group also already possess tools to assess fire risk on peatlands,” said Anis.
He added that the training is expected to enhance the capacity of personnel and strengthen participants’ understanding before deploying to the field for early preventive measures and community education. “We must start with early prevention from the outset. Sometimes communities open land by burning, and if the fire spreads to peatland it becomes very difficult to extinguish,” he noted.
APHI Chairman Soewarso emphasised that peatland fires are not only about fire but also governance, hydrology, community behaviour, and environmental sustainability. “Peatland fires are not just a matter of flames, but governance, hydrology, community behaviour, and Indonesia’s future sustainability,” Soewarso said.
He outlined several priority measures to strengthen karhutla control, including enhanced monitoring of the water table height (TMAT), optimising the early warning system, integrated patrols, and involving communities through the Masyarakat Peduli Api and Desa Makmur Peduli Alam (DMPA) programmes. In addition, cross‑agency data integration and ongoing public education were deemed essential to improving karhutla mitigation.
Soewarso warned that the 2026 threat of karhutla is expected to rise due to the extreme El Niño phenomenon, which could lead to prolonged drought in several vulnerable peatland areas.
During the event, APHI also expressed appreciation to three APHI Sumatra Selatan member companies — PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai, and PT Rimba Hutani Mas — which received awards from Polda Sumsel for dedication to karhutla prevention and control and for improving land productivity.
Iwan Setiawan, Chairman of APHI Sumatra Selatan, said member companies will continue to strengthen synergy with the government, law enforcement, communities, and other stakeholders to minimise fire risks during the dry season. “We also encourage all APHI members to keep improving karhutla prevention through education and outreach to communities around concessions about the dangers of land burning that can trigger a karhutla disaster. Prevention must be consistent and sustainable to raise public awareness and reduce fire risks,” he added.
Through this cross‑sector collaboration, APHI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable forestry practices while strengthening karhutla control across Indonesia.