Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The provincial government of Riau, Indonesia, has declared a state of emergency due to escalating forest and land fires (karhutla) that have scorched nearly 1,000 hectares over the past week.
The announcement was made by Riau Governor Abdul Wahid during a cross-sectoral meeting on Tuesday (July 22) with Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Chief Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, and regional leaders.
“We are officially raising the status to emergency response,” Wahid said, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
Riau had previously been under a fire alert status since March 27, scheduled to remain in effect through November 30. However, the rapid increase in hotspots and burned areas prompted authorities to intensify their response.
The elevated status enables the provincial government to fully mobilize resources, including logistical and technological support from the central government, and enhance coordination across agencies.
Currently, the majority of fire hotspots are located in the regencies of Rokan Hilir and Rokan Hulu, two areas that experience frequent wildfires every year. Wahid attributed most of the fires to illegal land clearing through burning.
“We urge all mayors and regents to continue educating the public to not clear land by burning,” the governor said, calling for stronger monitoring and prevention efforts at the local level.
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Riau’s disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) reported that wildfires have now affected 927 hectares across 12 districts and municipalities. This was a sharp increase of about 400 hectares in just one week.
The largest burned areas are in Rokan Hulu (229 hectares), Rokan Hilir (194 hectares), and Kampar (184 hectares), according to BPBD emergency official Jim Ghafur.
The fires have been exacerbated by strong winds and limited water sources. In Rokan Hulu, much of the fire has occurred in hilly terrain that is difficult for firefighters to access.
Thick haze from the fires has forced evacuations, particularly in Rokan Hulu, and has reportedly begun drifting into neighboring Malaysia.
In response, both local and national governments have intensified firefighting efforts, including deploying more personnel and equipment, building water retention basins, and initiating cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall.
(Raidi/Agung)
