Indonesian forest and land fire management

In late August 2026, the Gelora Party criticized Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni for a slow response to forest and land fires (karhutla) in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Party representative Rully Syumanda urged the use of satellite technology for earlier hotspot detection to mitigate health, environmental, and economic impacts. Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that burned land reached 38,310.89 hectares between January and June 2026.

By mid-September, Minister Antoni conducted an inspection of wildfire management at the Padang Sugihan Wildlife Sanctuary in South Sumatra. During the visit, he assessed the health of 29 Sumatran elephants and emphasized that wildlife protection must be integrated with firefighting efforts. He ordered the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to strengthen protections for animals during active incidents. Firefighting operations in the region involve collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry, BKSDA, Manggala Agni, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and national park authorities.