Minister Of Transportation Reasons For Extreme Heat The Main Factor Of Karhutla Menerjang Riau

JAKARTA - Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni said extreme hot weather was one of the main factors causing forest and land fires (karhutla), including those in Riau, recently.

He mentioned data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) showing that in the last 10 days there has been extreme heat and there has been a WIpha storm in the Philippines, which causes dry and flammable weather.

"Ini memang ada panas ekstrem 10 hari terakhir ditambah lagi ada storm Wipha yang melanda Filipina, sehingga pembentukwan sulit dan kemudian sangat kering dan maka itu mudah terbakar," kata Menhut dalam keterangannya di Jakarta, Selasa, disitat Antara.

He also reminded the people of Riau not to do land clearing or burning land and forests on July 22-28, 2025.

"Data from the BMKG shows that on July 22 to 28 the level of ease of fire on the top layers of the ground has the potential to burn easily," said Raja Juli.

Furthermore, the Minister of Forestry emphasized that he would carry out law enforcement indiscriminately to the community and companies that burned forests and land.

"So to the community and companies in Riau, I have coordinated with the Kapolda, don't dare to do land clearing, clean land to plant by burning, because the potential is very bad," said King Antoni.

"Therefore, we will enforce the law indiscriminately, without hesitation to the community or companies that burn forests or land in Riau, in Sumatra or anywhere else," he added.

Previously, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that in mid-July 2025, forest and land fires evenly hit 12 districts/cities in Riau, with the highest number of burned land in Kampar and Bengkalis which exceeded 100 hectares, then Rokan Hilir, Siak to Indragiri Hilir regencies of more than 50 hectares.

Pekanbaru City covering an area of 21.08 hectares or an increase of 6 hectares from the report of last week's incident and the fire was still burning in the affected area.

BNPB coordinates with the Riau Police, TNI, and the local Karhutla Task Force in taking firm action against the perpetrators, including ensuring evidence at the scene.

This effort coincides with the deployment of firefighters in the field and the implementation of the Phase Three Weather Modification Operation (OMC) aimed at reducing rain in vulnerable areas to accelerate extinguishing and preventing smoke from spreading.