PEKANBARU - The Riau Provincial Government has set the emergency alert status for forest and land fires (karhutla) considering the conditions that have entered the dry season and the fire incidents since the beginning of the year which have reached hundreds of hectares.
Head of the Regional Disaster Management and Fire Service (BPBD Damkar) Riau M Edy Afrizal said the decision letter to determine the status had been signed by the Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto. The status is valid from Friday, February 13 to November 30, 2026.
"The SK on the status of emergency readiness for the Riau Province's karhutla has been signed by the Acting Governor. The emergency readiness for karhutla in Riau begins from February 13 to November 30, 2026," he said as quoted by ANTARA.
The determination of the emergency standby status is also based on the results of the meeting with related agencies. Starting from the Riau Regional Leadership Communication Forum and also other related parties.
After this status is determined, his party will immediately ask for support from the central government for handling karhutla. This is in the form of a "water bombing" helicopter, patrol and weather modification operations.
"We will immediately send a letter to the central government through BNPB to ask for support for helicopters, both 'water bombing' and patrols. Including weather modification operations," he said.
Previously, karhutla had spread in Riau Province in 10 regencies/cities. His party noted that karhutla in early 2026 with an area of 182.76 ha with 848 hotspots and 79 fire points.
A total of 10 areas that have experienced forest fires are Bengkalis Regency, Meranti Islands, Siak, Kampar, Pelalawan, Indragiri Hulu (Inhu), Inhil, Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), as well as Dumai and Pekanbaru Cities.
For karhutla in Dumai City, he continued, so far it has been recorded as 19.52 ha, Bengkalis (65.51), Meranti Islands (7.90), Siak (9.55), Pekanbaru (11.58), Kampar (8.50), Pelalawan (21), Inhu (1.20), Inhil (36.50), and Kuansing (1.50).
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