Tanjungpinang City Government on Alert for Forest and Land Fires

Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - The Tanjungpinang City Government in the Riau Islands has declared an alert status for forest and land fires (karhutla) following an increase in fire incidents in recent times. The hot and dry weather conditions affecting Tanjungpinang, combined with limited water sources in several areas, are seen as increasing the risk of fires that could spread widely and be difficult to control. “We urge all levels of society not to engage in activities that could trigger fires, such as carelessly burning rubbish or clearing land by burning,” said the Head of the Communication and Informatics Department of Tanjungpinang, Teguh Susanto, on Saturday. Teguh stated that most fire incidents are caused by human negligence. In the current hot and dry weather conditions, the potential for fires is very high. “Several water sources are currently experiencing reduced flow or even drying up, making the firefighting process difficult. Preventive measures are the most effective efforts that we must undertake together,” he said. In addition to the ban on burning, the public is also reminded to be more careful with other activities that could spark fires, such as carelessly discarding cigarette butts, especially in dry and vegetated areas. This includes ensuring that fires are completely extinguished after certain activities. The Tanjungpinang City Government is also calling on all elements of society to increase vigilance and care for the surrounding environment, and to immediately report to the authorities if they find early signs of forest and land fires. Based on data from the Tanjungpinang Fire Department (Damkar), from January to March 2026, there have been 131 fire cases, dominated by forest and land fires.