Friday, 04 September 2026
ACEH TENGAH | INDATANEWS.COM - Police in Aceh Tengah Regency are stepping up efforts to prevent forest and land fires, known locally as Karhutla, with a stronger focus on preventive measures involving the community. Rather than waiting for fires to break out, police are seeking to reduce fire risks at an early stage through public awareness campaigns and the installation of warning banners in vulnerable areas.
Officers from the Silih Nara Police Station, together with officials from Burni Bius Baru Village in Silih Nara District, Aceh Tengah, conducted a public awareness campaign on Saturday, August 29, 2026, to prevent forest and land fires. During the activity, officers also installed several warning banners at strategic points along the Takengon–Angkup route.The officers selected locations where the banners would be clearly visible to residents and road users. Through the banners, police reminded residents not to clear, clean or otherwise manage land by burning it. The measure is part of the police's efforts to strengthen public awareness of the dangers and consequences of land fires.
Aceh Tengah Police Chief AKBP Muhamad Taufiq, S.I.K., M.H., through Silih Nara Police Chief IPTU Samsul Bahri Bangun, emphasized that preventing forest and land fires requires active community involvement. In his view, police cannot rely solely on measures taken after a fire has already started.
"Do not wait until a fire breaks out before taking action. We urge the community to work together to prevent land fires and immediately report any fire or situation that could potentially cause a fire," he said.Samsul Bahri Bangun considers public awareness one of the most important factors in fire prevention. Residents who identify potential hazards at an early stage can take preventive action while also quickly informing authorities when they encounter suspicious situations.
The awareness campaign also serves as an opportunity for police to educate residents about land management methods that do not create fire risks. Police are urging residents to abandon the practice of using fire as a quick method of clearing or preparing land.The measure is important because fires caused by land clearing can spread rapidly, particularly when environmental conditions are favorable. A fire that initially starts in a single location can spread and become difficult to control if residents and emergency personnel respond too late.
Smoke produced by burning can also affect air quality. If a fire spreads, the consequences can become significantly greater as vegetation and surrounding areas may be damaged. At the same time, the risk to residential areas and public facilities increases when a fire occurs near populated areas.
In addition to the environmental and safety impacts, residents also need to be aware of the legal consequences of burning land. Police stressed that indiscriminate land burning may result in legal consequences under applicable laws and regulations.Therefore, police are urging residents to use safe methods when managing their land. Residents should also immediately report any fire, suspicious smoke or other situations that could potentially trigger a fire.
The installation of banners along the Takengon–Angkup route is one of the measures being used by police to deliver their message continuously. Road users can see the warnings as they pass by, helping to raise awareness of the importance of preventing land fires.
Police are also calling on village authorities to participate in monitoring their surroundings. Cooperation among police, village officials and residents can accelerate the flow of information when signs of a fire emerge.The preventive measures are intended to increase public vigilance against the risk of forest and land fires in Aceh Tengah. Resident participation is crucial because people live and work directly in their surroundings and are therefore often the first to detect early signs of a fire.
By strengthening prevention efforts at an early stage, police hope to reduce the risk of forest and land fires before they develop into a larger disaster. Public awareness about refraining from burning land, combined with the prompt reporting of potential fire hazards, is an important part of maintaining safety, protecting residents and preserving the environment in Aceh Tengah. (IDNC)REPORTER: Adli Safwan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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