Indonesia mobilises over 500 personnel for forest fire preparedness in Central Java

The Ministry of Forestry and the Central Java provincial government have deployed more than 500 personnel from national and local agencies—including the army, police, disaster agency, and volunteer groups—to prepare for forest and land fire (karhutla) risk during the peak 2026 dry season. The readiness drill, held at a Boyolali campsite, featured simulations of fire suppression, equipment checks and coordination protocols. Officials highlighted the need for early detection and rapid response, noting that the 2023 El Niño‑driven fires burned nearly 10,000 ha and that the meteorological agency forecasts a particularly dry period from July to September 2026.

In Jambi’s Sarolangun regency, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food joined the local government in a similar karhutla‑prevention rally at PT Primatama Kreasimas. The event, led by the regent, brought together the army, police, disaster‑relief agency, fire‑rescue teams and the company’s emergency response unit. Participants discussed heightened vigilance for the longer, drier dry season and stressed that coordinated monitoring, early reporting and swift action are essential to keep fires from spreading.