South Sumatra Regional Police Intensify Forest and Land Fire Education and Mitigation
The South Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumsel) are continuing to intensify efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) through patrols, appeals, and socialisation to communities in various high-risk areas, on Monday (14/9).
In the forest fire mitigation activities carried out on the same day, the South Sumatra Regional Police recorded a total of 374 activities, consisting of 189 patrols, 99 appeals, and 86 socialisation sessions.
Patrols are conducted to monitor areas with potential for forest and land fires while detecting hotspots as early as possible. Meanwhile, appeals and socialisation efforts are directed towards increasing public awareness to prevent forest and land burning and to encourage collective environmental protection.
These preventive measures are part of the South Sumatra Regional Police’s comprehensive strategy for managing forest and land fires. Management is not only focused on responding when fires occur but begins with prevention, early detection, and enhancing community participation.
The Head of Public Relations for South Sumatra Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, emphasised that all units are being directed to increase mitigation activities, particularly in areas prone to forest and land fires.
“We continue to increase patrols, appeals, and socialisation as preventive measures. Personnel in the field are also inviting the community to work together to protect their areas and to immediately report any hotspots or activities that have the potential to cause forest and land fires,” Nandang stated in a written release on Monday (14/9/2026).
According to him, community involvement is a crucial factor in preventing fires from spreading. Therefore, the public is urged not to clear land through burning and to provide information if they encounter potential fire risks in their surroundings.
Under the spirit of “24/7 Nyago Bumi Sriwijaya”, the South Sumatra Regional Police, along with all relevant units, are committed to continuous prevention, monitoring, and handling of forest and land fires to ensure public safety and protect the environment in South Sumatra.