West Java Government Tightens Forest and Land Fire Prevention Ahead of Peak Dry Season
The West Java Provincial Government is tightening prevention efforts against forest and land fires (karhutla) as the peak of the dry season approaches. The provincial Forestry Service and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) are enhancing patrols in fire-prone areas, monitoring forest cover conditions, and intensifying educational outreach to the public.
Dodit Ardian Pancapana, Head of the West Java Forestry Service, stated that his agency is implementing early prevention measures to minimise the potential for fires. “Together with various parties, we are intensifying routine patrols in vulnerable areas, monitoring forest cover conditions, promoting educational socialisation, and strengthening cross-sector coordination to minimise the risk of forest and land fires,” he explained.
He emphasised that active community participation is key to fire mitigation. Residents are urged not to clear land by burning, to avoid burning rubbish near forest areas, to ensure campfires are completely extinguished, and not to discard cigarette butts carelessly. The public is also asked to immediately report any signs of fire or hotspots to the nearest authorities. Dodit noted that dry weather, low rainfall, and reduced vegetation moisture make forests and land highly susceptible to burning, with the majority of incidents in Indonesia recorded as being caused by human negligence.
Meanwhile, the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is also strengthening preparedness by increasing monitoring of fire-prone areas, disseminating early warning information, and enhancing coordination with district/city BPBDs, the military, police, local governments, volunteers, and the community. BPBD Chief Executive Teten Ali said that education for the public is being increased to prevent indiscriminate land burning and to promote environmental awareness. Personnel and firefighting equipment are being readied for rapid response. According to BPBD data as of 10 August 2026, there have been 90 forest and land fire incidents across 72 sub-districts in West Java, with the highest numbers recorded in Sumedang Regency (16 incidents), Majalengka Regency (11 incidents), and Bandung Regency (8 incidents).