Friday, 23 October 2026
JAMBI | INDATANEWS.COM - Jambi Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Krisno H. Siregar, together with Deputy Head of the Emergency Response Division of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Major General Budi Irawan, Head of the Jambi Provincial Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Bachyuni Deliansyah, and personnel from Korem 042/Garuda Putih, monitored efforts to tackle forest and land fires (Karhutla) in Persiapan Air Merah Village, Sungai Gelam District, Muaro Jambi Regency, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The team also conducted aerial monitoring and prevention efforts using a fixed-wing aircraft operated by the BNPB. From the air, the personnel were able to directly assess areas that had previously been burned and determine whether the Jambi Provincial Karhutla Task Force was carrying out firefighting operations effectively.The monitoring was part of efforts by the government and security forces to ensure that forest and land fire response operations, particularly in peatland areas, were carried out comprehensively. Because peat soils can retain smoldering embers beneath the surface, operations are not limited to extinguishing visible flames. Cooling the affected areas and conducting continuous monitoring are also necessary.
The aerial monitoring showed that fires at several locations across the peatland areas had been successfully extinguished. However, personnel continued to detect smoke at several points. The Karhutla Task Force therefore continued cooling and monitoring operations to ensure that no remaining hotspots could reignite.
The Jambi police chief stressed that personnel must ensure the affected areas were completely secure before operations could be concluded. Peatlands have a particular characteristic in which fires can flare up again if cooling operations are not carried out thoroughly."Together with the BNPB, Korem 042/Garuda Putih and the Jambi Provincial BPBD, we monitored the fire situation directly from the air. Thank God, the fire has been extinguished, although there is still smoke. Therefore, cooling and monitoring will continue so that no new hotspots emerge," Inspector General Krisno said.
More than 50 hectares of peatland in Persiapan Air Merah Village were affected by fires over the past week. The Jambi Provincial Karhutla Task Force deployed various measures to contain the fires, including ground firefighting operations and aerial water bombing.BNPB Deputy Head of the Emergency Response Division Major General Budi Irawan also said the monitoring had shown that the fires had been successfully extinguished. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of cooling operations to ensure that smoldering embers or heat zones did not trigger another fire.
The Jambi Provincial Karhutla Task Force, together with all relevant agencies, will continue monitoring and cooling the affected areas until personnel can confirm that the region is completely safe.
In addition to ensuring that the fires remain under control, the Jambi Police are preparing a criminal investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The Jambi police chief said the investigation would begin once the affected areas had been declared safe, allowing the investigation to be conducted properly.
"Once we have ensured that the fire has been completely extinguished and the area is safe, we will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible. Law enforcement will be carried out firmly, with a scientifically based investigation," he stressed.To date, the Jambi Police have received six police reports and are handling cases involving seven suspects in connection with forest and land fires. The handling of these cases is part of the police's efforts to identify those responsible for causing the fires while also creating a deterrent effect.
"We have received six police reports and are taking action against seven suspects. We ask for the public's support. We will continue conducting the investigations professionally and provide updates on the progress of the cases," the police chief said.The investigations will focus on determining the cause of the fires and identifying those responsible. Police will also rely on scientifically based investigative procedures in collecting and analyzing evidence to ensure that law enforcement is carried out professionally and transparently.
The move also demonstrates that efforts to tackle forest and land fires are not limited to extinguishing the flames. Authorities are also committed to taking firm legal action against individuals proven to be responsible for causing forest and land fires.
The Jambi police chief warned the public against activities that could trigger forest and land fires. He urged residents not to burn waste carelessly and not to clear land by using fire.
"Do not burn waste carelessly, because it can cause fires. It is even more dangerous to clear land and then burn it. The impact of fires can affect public health, damage the environment and pollute the air with smoke," he said.The appeal is particularly important amid ongoing efforts by the Karhutla Task Force to contain fires in Muaro Jambi. Greater public awareness and prevention efforts can help prevent new hotspots from emerging, especially in peatland areas that can easily catch fire under dry conditions.
The regional government, BNPB, police, TNI, BPBD and other relevant agencies continue to strengthen their cooperation in tackling Karhutla. Fire suppression, cooling, monitoring and prevention efforts are being coordinated to ensure that operations in the field are carried out quickly, precisely and effectively.Aerial monitoring also provides important information about the condition of affected areas and assists personnel in determining further measures. At the same time, ground teams continue their monitoring to ensure that new heat zones do not develop into fires.
With fires successfully extinguished at several locations and cooling operations continuing, the Jambi Provincial Karhutla Task Force will maintain its operations until personnel can confirm that all affected areas are safe. Criminal investigations into the causes of the forest and land fires will also begin once conditions at the site allow for a comprehensive investigation. (IDNC)REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
