Tuesday, 15 September 2026
JAMBI | INDATANEWS.COM - The Jambi Provincial Police (Polda Jambi) and its subordinate units continue to strengthen efforts to combat forest and land fires, locally known as Karhutla, across Jambi Province. The measures include firefighting, prevention, hotspot monitoring, patrols and law enforcement against individuals suspected of deliberately starting fires.
According to data from the central command post of the Jambi Province Karhutla Task Force (Satgas Karhutla) on Monday, September 14, 2026, authorities have handled a total of 75 forest and land fire cases through law enforcement efforts since January 1 through September 14, 2026.Of the 75 cases, 60 remain at the preliminary investigation stage, while 15 have proceeded to the formal investigation stage. During the course of the investigations, a total of 14 people have been identified as suspects or defendants.
The 60 cases still at the preliminary investigation stage are spread across several regencies. Sarolangun recorded the highest number, with 26 cases, followed by Muaro Jambi with 10 cases, Batanghari with 11 cases, Tanjung Jabung Timur with six cases, Merangin with three cases, Bungo with three cases and Tanjung Jabung Barat with one case.
Meanwhile, the 15 cases that have entered the investigation stage are being handled by several regional police units and relevant authorities. Polda Jambi is handling two cases, Jambi City Police (Polresta Jambi) one case, Sarolangun Police one case, Tebo Police two cases, Tanjung Jabung Barat Police three cases, Tanjung Jabung Timur Police one case, Bungo Police one case, Merangin Police one case, Batanghari Police one case, Muaro Jambi Police one case and Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) from the Forestry Agency one case.Of the 15 cases in the investigation stage, five have already reached Phase I, while the remaining 10 cases are still under investigation.
Of that total, 2,289.27 hectares were on mineral soils and 708.75 hectares were peatlands. Batanghari recorded the largest affected area, at 773.25 hectares.
It was followed by Sarolangun with 508.55 hectares, Tanjung Jabung Barat with 488.75 hectares, Tebo with 312.46 hectares, Tanjung Jabung Timur with 271.70 hectares, Muaro Jambi with 556.61 hectares, Bungo with 69.40 hectares and Merangin with 17.30 hectares.The Satgas Karhutla has so far recorded no burned areas in Kerinci Regency, Sungai Penuh City or Jambi City.
At the same time, a high number of thermal anomalies, commonly referred to as hotspots, were detected. On September 14, 2026, the Satgas recorded a total of 236 hotspots across Jambi Province. Of these, 234 had a medium confidence level, while two were classified as having a high confidence level.The hotspots were distributed across Sungai Penuh City with one point, Muaro Jambi with 34 points, Tanjung Jabung Timur with 21 points, Tanjung Jabung Barat with 26 points, Batanghari with eight points, Sarolangun with 66 points, Merangin with eight points, Bungo with 20 points, Tebo with 51 points and Kerinci with one point.
Cumulatively, satellites Terra, Aqua and SNPP detected 7,682 hotspots across Jambi Province between January 1 and September 14, 2026.The Satgas subsequently conducted on-site inspections, known as ground checks, to verify the actual conditions on the ground. Checks carried out by the Satgas air patrol units, ground operation posts and personnel from the Aman Nusa II-2026 operation of regional police units verified a total of 11 firespots.
Two of the verified firespots were located in Muaro Jambi, three in Tanjung Jabung Timur, two in Tanjung Jabung Barat, and one each in Batanghari, Tebo, Sarolangun and Merangin.
To accelerate firefighting operations, the Satgas Karhutla is also deploying helicopters for water-bombing missions. Aerial firefighting operations have focused on Sungai Aur Village in Kumpeh Ilir District, Muaro Jambi Regency, as well as Sadu District and the Tahura Orang Kayo Hitam area in Tanjung Jabung Timur Regency.
Several helicopters have supported the operation, including patrol and water-bombing helicopters with registration numbers N274TH, VN-8414 and RA-22840, as well as helicopter H-3216 operated by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU).In addition to aerial operations, personnel on the ground have carried out various measures through ground and air operation posts. These activities include regular briefings, hotspot monitoring, patrols, ground checks, joint firefighting operations and public awareness campaigns.
The operations involve personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), Indonesian National Police (Polri), Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD), Manggala Agni, community-based firefighting groups known as Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA), RPK, regional governments and other relevant agencies.Jambi Police Chief Inspector General of Police Krisno H. Siregar, through Polda Jambi Public Relations Division Head Police Commissioner Erlan Munaji, emphasized that the police are taking a comprehensive approach to the Karhutla problem, ranging from prevention and firefighting to law enforcement.
"Polda Jambi and all subordinate units are committed to addressing the Karhutla problem to the fullest extent and in a coordinated manner. Our efforts are not limited to firefighting operations in the field, but also include stronger prevention measures and firm law enforcement against individuals proven to have caused forest and land fires," Police Commissioner Erlan Munaji said Monday, September 14, 2026.According to Erlan, the handling of 75 Karhutla cases and the identification of suspects demonstrate the seriousness with which the Indonesian police are working to ensure legal certainty. At the same time, the measures are intended to prevent land burning that could have far-reaching impacts on communities and the environment.
"We will not allow forests and land areas to be deliberately set on fire. Every piece of information and every finding in the field will be verified. If criminal elements are found, the case will of course be processed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," he stressed.Police Commissioner Erlan also appealed to the public not to clear or prepare land by burning it. He urged residents to remain particularly vigilant given the prevailing weather conditions and the continued risk of fires.
"We urge the public not to open land by burning it. A fire that initially appears small must not be allowed to spread and affect the environment, public health or people's activities. Report immediately if you discover firespots or activities involving land burning," he said.Polda Jambi continues to rely on cooperation among various agencies and institutions in addressing the Karhutla threat. Ground and aerial response teams are working together with the TNI, Polri, BPBD, Manggala Agni, regional governments and other participating agencies to conduct patrols, ground checks, firefighting operations, public awareness campaigns and hotspot monitoring.
"Cooperation among all participating forces is extremely important. We continue to monitor the situation through ground and aerial response teams and deploy water-bombing operations, among other measures, in areas that are difficult to reach by land. Most importantly, however, are prevention and collective awareness. Let us work together to ensure that Jambi remains free from Karhutla," Police Commissioner Erlan concluded. (IDNC)REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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