JAKARTA - Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan directly visited the location of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Sekodi Village, Bengkalis District, Bengkalis Regency. This inspection was carried out to ensure that the extinguishing process runs optimally and to provide support to the joint team in the field.
During the visit, the Police Chief was accompanied by the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) Professor of Forest Protection, Prof. Bambang Hero Suharjo, and the Bengkalis Police Chief AKBP Fahrian Saleh Siregar. The presence of the police and academic elements marked an approach to handling forest fires that is not only operational, but also based on scientific studies.
At the location, a number of personnel from the BPBD, TNI, Polri, Manggala Agni, volunteers to the Fire Care Society (MPA) are still struggling to put out the fire at a number of points.
"We are here to provide motivation, moral support and ensure that the extinguishing efforts are carried out to the maximum. This cannot be done alone, but must be collaborative involving all parties," said Herry, Friday, April 3.
He emphasized that the main strategy at this time is to find and cut off the fire point as early as possible, especially ahead of the peak period of the dry season which has the potential to expand the fire.
"It is better to work hard now before entering the peak of the dry season, than to put out the fire in a much larger and difficult condition," he said.
Apart from the blackout, law enforcement aspects are also a concern. Throughout 2025, the Riau Police recorded 74 cases of karhutla with the same number of suspects.
"Law enforcement must be firm and fair. There must be no tolerance for arson perpetrators, whether intentional or hiding behind the excuse of negligence," he explained.
Prevention efforts are also carried out by installing hundreds of warning boards in areas prone to forest fires. In addition to containing criminal threats, the board also contains a ban on the use of land that has been burned.
"We want there to be a deterrent effect. Land that has been burned should not be used again, including for oil palm cultivation. This is part of the moratorium effort so that similar incidents do not recur," said Herry.
Meanwhile, Prof. Bambang Hero Suharjo reminded of the potential for greater risks this year. He highlighted the indication of the emergence of the Super El Nino phenomenon which can trigger long droughts. According to him, this condition has similarities with the large karhutla event in 1997-1998.
"With this 2.7 degree condition, it is exactly like the 1997-1998 fire incident, where the burned land reached 10 to 11 million hectares and caused hundreds of casualties," said Bambang.
He also highlighted the high water level in the canal that had passed the safe threshold, which could increase the risk of fires in peatlands.
"This must be immediately mitigated comprehensively. Because in the future it will get drier and we will be short of water," he said.
Bambang assessed that preventive measures and early warning systems were key in dealing with the potential for forest fires in the future. He also appreciated the Green Policing approach that has begun to be implemented, including through tree planting as part of a long-term strategy.
"Planting trees is not just symbolic. Scientifically, it is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to fires. If it is not balanced, the emissions we release will be greater," he said.
The Police Chief emphasized that the handling of forest fires must be carried out in an integrated manner, covering extinguishing, prevention, law enforcement, to ecological approaches.
"We are moving together to find strategic fire points, the goal is that there will be no eruption elsewhere. This is a joint commitment across sectors to protect the environment and the community," concluded Herry.
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