)* Andhika Rachman
Entering mid-2025, Indonesia is once again faced with a classic challenge that comes every dry season: forest and land fires (karhutla). The South Sumatra region is one of the hotspots that deserves national attention. The latest data shows that four districts in the province of Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), Ogan Ilir (OI), Musi Banyuasin (Muba), and Banyuasin have entered the karhutla alert category. This situation is certainly not something that can be considered trivial, considering the experience of previous years which showed how quickly fires can spread, causing ecological, economic losses, and even public health threats.
Head of the South Sumatra Class I Climatology Station, Wandayantolis said that the dry season has started since May and is expected to spread in June 2025, his party reminded the public to remain vigilant against the impacts of the weather that may occur, including sudden rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) noted that the start of the dry season this time was marked by a decrease in rainfall intensity in various regions, although it has not completely dried up. Several areas are still experiencing light, even moderate, rain, which is part of the dynamics of the transitional season weather. However, this condition needs to be watched out for so that people are not careless about the potential for forest and land fires even though rain is still occurring in several areas. Many people think that because it is still raining, the potential for forest and land fires can be ignored. In fact, hotspots can appear precisely when the weather is uncertain, especially when strong winds and lightning strike land that has partially dried out.
Peat areas in South Sumatra, such as in OKI and Muba, are the areas with the highest risk. The soil structure that dries out easily and stores heat allows fires to spread far below the surface, is difficult to detect, and is very difficult to extinguish. Although regulations have been strengthened, the government continues to take action against individuals who are still burning land. Even a small spark can trigger a major fire in a matter of hours, especially if accompanied by strong dry winds.
Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said that several regions in Indonesia are expected to experience moderate to heavy rain. Therefore, the public must remain alert and actively follow weather information from official sources. If they find a hotspot or emergency condition, residents are asked to immediately report to the authorities.
BNPB also issued a national appeal for all stakeholders to increase their vigilance against hydrometeorological disasters, including forest and land fires. The Head of BNPB emphasized that synergy between the central government, regional governments, the TNI-Polri, and civil society is the main key to preventing forest and land fires. Early detection, routine patrols, and education for residents are the main priorities in the mitigation strategy. In this context, technology is also relied on, including the use of satellite imagery to detect hotspots and early warning systems based on weather data.
However, the threat of forest and land fires is not only about fires that burn forests. The impact is broader and more complex. Thick smoke that covers the affected areas can cause acute respiratory infections (ARI), disrupt economic activities, and even affect air and sea transportation schedules, especially in severely affected areas. On a larger scale, forest fires contribute significantly to carbon emissions, exacerbating the global climate crisis that is now increasingly apparent. Therefore, this moment should be a reminder that protecting forests and their ecosystems is not just a matter for one region, but a national, even international responsibility.
Most forest and land fires in Indonesia are triggered by human activities, which continue to be suppressed by the government through regulations and strict law enforcement. Land burning for agriculture or plantations, which has so far been considered practical, continues to be suppressed by government policies for the sake of environmental sustainability. In fact, the losses incurred are far greater than the costs of clearing land sustainably. The government and law enforcement officers continue to increase firm steps in prosecuting perpetrators of land burning, in line with their commitment to protecting the environment. In addition to appeals, the government also continues to encourage real action through strict and sustainable law enforcement.
On the other hand, the role of the community is an equally important factor. Collective awareness not to clear land by burning must continue to be built. Disaster-resilient village programs, the involvement of traditional and religious figures in outreach, and education in schools can be part of a long-term strategy to instill ecological awareness. The media also has a strategic role inshaping public opinion and disseminating information related to the dangers of forest and land fires and mitigation measures.
National alertness is a real call to action together. Starting from the household level to the central government, from farmers to academics, all have a role in preventing and reducing the risk of forest and land fires. It is time for us to view forest and land fires not as an “ordinary” annual disaster, but as a serious threat to the sustainability of life and the future of the nation.
With awareness, collaboration, and firmness in law enforcement, Indonesia can move towards a better direction in facing the challenges of the dry season and the threat of forest and land fires. Being alert does not mean being afraid, but being ready and acting wisely for the safety of all.
)* Strategic Issue Observer
