Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — South Sumatra has officially declared an emergency alert status in response to the growing threat of forest and land fires (karhutla), local authorities confirmed this week.
The announcement was made by M. Iqbal Alisyahbana, head of the South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), who said the declaration is based on a gubernatorial decree and will remain in effect from June 17 to November 30, 2025. “This alert status could be extended if fire conditions persist,” Iqbal said on Tuesday, June 24.
The move follows reports from four regencies which is Musi Banyuasin, Ogan Komering Ilir, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir, and Prabumulih, which had previously enacted alert measures. “Several districts and cities have already declared emergency status,” Iqbal noted.
So far, six areas in the province have declared alert status, including five high-risk regions: Banyuasin, Musi Banyuasin, Ogan Komering Ilir, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir, and Muara Enim. Prabumulih, although not categorized as high risk, joined the declaration as a precautionary step against the impact of haze.
Several other vulnerable areas, such as Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), OKU Timur, OKU Selatan, Musi Rawas, Musi Rawas Utara, Lahat, and Ogan Ilir have yet to declare emergency status.
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The decision also took into account the outcome of a recent multi-agency coordination meeting and projections by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which predicts an early dry season beginning in mid-May and peaking in July and August.
“Field checks show that peatlands in some areas are still moist, but we must act proactively ahead of the dry season’s peak,” Iqbal added. He also said that the provincial government will soon request support from the central government for four water bombing helicopters and additional resources for weather modification operations.
As part of its preparedness measures against forest and land fires, the South Sumatra provincial government is set to hold a major forest fire readiness drill on July 15.
“This drill is essential to ensure we’re ready for potential fires, by checking personnel, equipment, and cross-sector coordination,” said South Sumatra Regional Secretary Edward Candra on Thursday, June 26.
The drill will involve 1,181 personnel from various agencies, including the military (TNI), police, BPBD, Manggala Agni, the Health Department, and more. Private companies holding land concessions will also participate, along with a simulated fire suppression exercise.
(Raidi/Agung)
