Indonesia ramps up forest fire prevention as dry season peaks

State-owned forest enterprise Perhutani’s KPH Kedu Utara unit has tightened measures to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) as Indonesia enters the peak of the dry season. The agency formed a dedicated task force with the local forest community group LMDH and base‑camp operators, mapped high‑risk areas, increased patrols, monitored the Forest Danger Index and intensified public outreach. Coordination has been strengthened with the Temanggung disaster agency (BPBD), the armed forces, police, regional governments and other stakeholders.

President Prabowo Subianto ordered all ministries to boost readiness for the upcoming dry period, adding budget resources and urging close collaboration among the Ministry of Forestry, BPBD, TNI, police and community fire‑watch groups. He warned that uncontrolled fires can cause respiratory illness, school closures, economic disruption and airport shutdowns, and highlighted the risk of an early El Niño event linked to climate change.