South Sumatra Police Educate OKU Selatan Residents on Forest Fire Prevention

The South Sumatra Regional Police, via the OKU Selatan Resort Police, are intensifying efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) by educating residents in Sidodadi Village, Buay Pemaca District, OKU Selatan Regency. Through a socialisation programme titled ‘STOP KARHUTLA’, residents were encouraged to identify potential fire hazards and understand preventive measures to stop fires from escalating into disasters. The activity was led directly by OKU Selatan Police Chief AKBP I Made Redi Hartana. In addition to delivering appeals, police officers engaged in dialogue with residents, hamlet heads, village officials, religious leaders, and community figures to map out potential fire risks around settlements, plantations, drylands, and forest areas. ‘Forest and land fire prevention cannot be solely the responsibility of the government and security forces. The community is closest to the environment, so public awareness is a crucial element in preventing hotspots from emerging,’ said I Made Redi in a statement on Tuesday (4/8/2026). He also urged the public to abandon the practice of clearing land by burning. He noted that a fire initially considered small can quickly spread when it reaches dry vegetation and becomes difficult to control if detected too late. During the activity, police also provided education on the impact of forest and land fires on health, air quality, the economy, and daily activities. Residents were asked not to discard cigarette butts or other objects that could ignite fires in plantation areas, drylands, and forest zones. Hamlet heads, village officials, and community leaders were encouraged to become drivers of fire prevention in their respective areas. They are expected to consistently convey the message ‘Protect the Environment, Prevent Forest Fires, Save the Future’ in various community activities. ‘If you see plumes of smoke, hotspots, or burning activities that could spread, immediately report them to security forces, the village government, or relevant parties. Quick reports from the public are very helpful so that handling can be carried out before the fire grows,’ he said. Meanwhile, South Sumatra Police Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, stated that the activity was a follow-up to the Chief of South Sumatra Police’s directive for regional unit heads to engage directly with the community and prioritise preventive measures. ‘Forest and land fire mitigation does not only begin when a fire has already appeared. The most decisive efforts are built through knowledge, awareness, and rapid communication at the village level. Therefore, personnel are asked to go directly to the field, engage in dialogue, and ensure the public knows what actions to take when they discover smoke or hotspots,’ he stressed. Through education that directly reaches the community, the South Sumatra Police emphasised that handling forest and land fires does not rely solely on firefighting, but starts from the village with residents who are aware, understand the risks, and act quickly. The activity was well received by the residents of Sidodadi Village. They expressed their readiness to support the police and government in preventing forest and land fires in Buay Pemaca District. This commitment is expected to develop into a habit of reminding one another and reporting any potential fires as early as possible.