West Java Provincial Government Strengthens Mitigation to Prevent Forest Fires During Dry Season

The West Java Provincial Government, through its Forestry Service, is strengthening mitigation measures to prevent forest and land fires during the dry season by focusing on public education, coordination, and personnel readiness in the field. Head of the West Java Forestry Service, Dodit Ardian Pancapana, stated that enhanced mitigation is necessary to preserve the province’s forest areas. “West Java has around 800,000 hectares of forest. The area is almost 50 times the size of Bandung City. Planting and maintenance efforts are ongoing to ensure adequate forest cover as mandated by the 30 percent requirement,” he said when met in Majalengka on Tuesday. In addition to increasing forest cover through planting and maintenance, he added, efforts to protect forest areas from various disturbances, especially the threat of fires during the dry season, are a priority. Dodit said one focus of mitigation is changing the habits of communities who still use fire to burn rubbish, straw, or leaf litter, as this has the potential to trigger fires. “Efforts to reduce the volume of forest waste, paddy field waste, and agricultural residue can be done organically without using fire. That is what we must continue to educate people about,” he said. Furthermore, his office is strengthening preparedness for handling forest and land fires through the use of technology, improving personnel capabilities, and enhancing inter-agency communication and coordination. Dodit noted that forest and land fire incidents in West Java are fluctuating and can be monitored in real time through the Ministry of Forestry’s SiPongi application, with a current downward trend. Nevertheless, he reminded that the dry season is expected to last until August 2026, so all stakeholders, including the media, are asked to continue educating the public to reduce the risk of forest and land fires. “I ask for the help of media colleagues to continue promoting activities that reduce the risk of forest fires,” said Dodit Ardian Pancapana.