Riau Sets Karhutla Emergency Alert Status

PeKANBARU - Riau Provincial Government has set an emergency status for forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province from March 13 - November 30, 2024.

This determination is based on the Governor's Decree signed by the Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto on March 13, 2024.

"Riau has declared an emergency alert for forest and land fires because there are areas, namely Dumai City and Bengkalis Regency which have established the same emergency alert status," said Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Chief Executive (BPBD) Medy Afrizal in Pekanbaru, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 13.

Based on the Regulation of the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency Number: 03 of 2016 concerning the Disaster Emergency Management Command System, emergency alert status is a situation when the potential threat of disaster has led to a disaster marked by information on increasing threats.

Edy Afrizal explained that the emergency alert status is a situation when a potential disaster threat has led to a disaster marked by information on an increase in threats.

According to him, based on the Riau Governor's Decree, the Riau forest and land fires emergency alert status is set for 263 days, from March 13 to November 30, 2024.

"Thus, through the determination of the emergency alert status, the handling and handling of fire disasters in Riau can be maximized. Because currently the Riau coastal area has been hit by summer," he said.

Emergency preparedness helps minimize injuries to humans, environmental damage, asset/equipment losses, and reputational impacts that can occur as a result of an emergency.