Indonesia ramps up anti‑forest fire actions amid El Niño

The Barito Selatan district (Barsel) in Central Kalimantan is preparing to declare an emergency status for forest‑fire and land‑fire (karhutla) response as the El Niño phenomenon raises the risk of widespread fires. Deputy Regent Khristianto Yudha stressed the need for coordinated patrols, budgeting for fuel and equipment, and cooperation among the police, military, local officials and community leaders to prevent and extinguish fires, especially in vulnerable areas such as Saabillah near Lake Ganting.

In Pekanbaru, Riau province, the 2026 Bhayangkara Run attracted about 15,080 participants from Indonesia and abroad, using sport to promote the “Riau Lawan Karhutla” (Riau Against Forest Fires) campaign. Runners received elephant‑doll symbols and trembesi tree seedlings as part of the environmental‑education effort. Police chief Irjen Herry Heryawan highlighted the event’s role in raising awareness of forest‑fire prevention and encouraging healthy, eco‑friendly lifestyles.