Wilmar Strengthens Preparedness to Prevent Operational Land Fires
Entering the dry season, Wilmar has strengthened its forest and land fire prevention efforts (karhutla) across all of the company’s operational units. One of the activities was forest and land fire prevention training together with a forest fire readiness assembly.
The activities involved stakeholders such as communities, government, security forces and companies. Beyond anticipating the risk of forest and land fires, the collaboration aimed to strengthen coordination between the company and stakeholders. Prevention is the most effective step in facing the risk of forest and land fires.
Head of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Plantations at PT Mustika Sembuluh (Wilmar Group), Novrie Ronaldy, said that preventing forest and land fires is a shared commitment to safeguarding community safety, protecting the environment and supporting responsible operational continuity.
“Every year we continue to improve our preparedness through training, maintenance of facilities and infrastructure, simulations, and strengthening coordination with various parties,” Novrie said in a written statement on Friday (10/7/2026).
He explained that the activities involved various stakeholders, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), local government (sub-district heads and village heads), the police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and community representatives around the company’s operational areas. The event was attended by 82 participants from the company and the Fire-Aware Community (MPA) groups. They carried out a simulation of extinguishing forest and land fires.
Novrie said that preventing forest and land fires requires the active role of all parties because fire risks recognise no boundaries. Synergy among stakeholders is vital to strengthen prevention efforts, accelerate early detection and ensure rapid handling before fires spread.
“Collaboration is key to creating a safe environment, preserving the environment and minimising fire risks during the dry season,” he said.
In addition to strengthening internal preparedness, Wilmar is also actively involved in the Fire Free Alliance (FFA), a collaboration involving companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in efforts to prevent forest and land fires.
“Through the FFA, various prevention programmes are carried out not only within the company’s operational areas but also in surrounding areas up to a five-kilometre radius. These programmes include community education, capacity building, and collaboration in fire prevention from an early stage,” he concluded.