Wednesday, 16 September 2026
ACEH TENGAH | INDATANEWS.COM - Police in Aceh Tengah Regency have stepped up efforts to prevent forest and land fires, locally known as Karhutla, by intensifying patrols in areas considered vulnerable to fires. Officers are also urging residents not to use fire when clearing or preparing land.
The preventive measures were carried out on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, by personnel from the Kute Panang and Ketol Police Stations in several areas of Kute Panang and Ketol districts, Aceh Tengah Regency. In addition to monitoring forest and plantation areas, officers informed residents and village administrations about notices issued by the Aceh Provincial Police Chief and the Aceh Tengah Police Chief.The patrols and public outreach are part of the police strategy to prevent potential fire hotspots at an early stage and raise public awareness of the dangers of burning forests and land. The police are prioritizing prevention so that potential fires can be stopped before they develop into larger incidents.
In Kute Panang District, personnel from the local police station inspected several forest and agricultural areas. Officers assessed the condition of the surroundings and paid particular attention to potential fire hotspots that could emerge from land clearing or land preparation activities.
The monitoring showed that the areas inspected remained in a safe condition. No fire hotspots or signs of forest and land fires were found during the patrol.Despite finding no fires, officers continued to provide direct information to residents in the field. They reminded the public not to use fire when clearing or preparing land, warning that flames could quickly spread out of control and reach surrounding areas.
Officers also posted the Aceh Provincial Police Chief's notice at appropriate locations. The measure was intended to inform residents about the prohibition on burning forests and land while raising awareness of the risks associated with using fire for land preparation.Police urged residents to use safe methods when managing their land. Anyone who sees smoke, a fire hotspot, or suspicious activity related to land burning is encouraged to immediately report it to the authorities.
During the outreach activities, police emphasized the importance of public and village administration involvement in protecting the environment. The role of residents is particularly important because they live in close proximity to forests, plantations, and land where illegal or uncontrolled burning could potentially occur.
Police once again warned about the serious risks associated with using fire to clear land. A fire initially intended to clean an area can spread rapidly, particularly when weather and environmental conditions favor its expansion.Officers therefore also asked village administrations to continue delivering the prevention messages to residents. The effort is aimed at building shared awareness so that people do not resort to fire as a seemingly simple method of managing their land.
Besides preventing forest and land fires, the public outreach is also intended to maintain security and public order, known as Kamtibmas. Police believe prevention can be made more effective when residents actively participate in environmental protection efforts and promptly report potential hazards.
Aceh Tengah Police Chief AKBP Teguh Siswoyo, S.H., S.I.K., M.H., through Public Relations Head AKP Rasimin, said the dissemination of the two notices was a preventive measure aimed at strengthening public awareness and preventing forest and land fires at an early stage.
"The notice from the Aceh Provincial Police Chief and the notice from the Aceh Tengah Police Chief are being conveyed as part of our joint efforts to maintain security and public order and prevent forest and land fires. We urge residents not to burn forests or land and to work together to protect the environment," Rasimin said.He emphasized that Aceh Tengah Police would continue patrols and public outreach, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to Karhutla. Police would not focus solely on dealing with fires after they occur, but would also work to prevent fire hotspots from emerging through monitoring and public education.
"We are focusing on prevention. If residents notice signs of a fire, they should report them immediately so that action can be taken as early as possible," he said.According to Rasimin, the speed with which residents relay information is a crucial factor in preventing fires from spreading. Early reports enable emergency personnel to respond quickly before flames expand and cause more extensive damage.
Aceh Tengah Police are therefore once again urging residents not to use fire carelessly and to work together to protect forests, plantations, and agricultural land in their respective areas.Through regular patrols, the posting of official notices, and direct outreach to residents and village administrations, police seek to further strengthen public awareness of the dangers of forest and land fires. The measures are also expected to improve readiness in responding to potential fires across Aceh Tengah Regency.
As of the completion of the patrols and public outreach activities on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, no fire hotspots had been detected in the monitored areas of Kute Panang District. Police nevertheless urged residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any indication of a potential fire to emergency personnel. (IDNC)REPORTER: Adli Safwan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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