JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago has reactivated the Forest and Land Fire Control Coordination Desk (Karhutla) to strengthen inter-agency coordination in the face of potential fires due to the El Nino phenomenon in 2026 and 2027.
Djamari said the move was a proactive effort by the government ahead of the dry season which could potentially increase the risk of forest and land fires.
"As a proactive step, the government is reactivating the 2026 Karhutla Countermeasures Coordination Desk," said a press release from the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs received in Jakarta, Thursday, quoted by Antara.
The decision was conveyed in the Special Coordination Meeting for the 2026 Karhutla Control entitled "Synergizing for the State to Face El Nino 2026 and 2027" at the Manggala Wanabakti Building, Jakarta, Thursday.
According to Djamari, the El Nino phenomenon has the potential to increase the risk of drought, reduce rainfall, increase the number of hot spots, and increase the chances of forest and land fires.
The government has also mapped six provinces that have the potential to experience an increase in the risk of forest fires, namely Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.
Therefore, he emphasized the importance of synergy between the central government, local governments, and all stakeholders in efforts to prevent and handle forest fires.
According to Djamari, the reactivation of the desk is needed so that inter-agency coordination runs more effectively and there is no overlap in carrying out tasks in the field.
Previously, a number of institutions that were included in the Karhutla Desk, including the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the National Police, the TNI, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the local government.
During the meeting, Djamari asked all governors, regional military commanders (pangdam), regional police chiefs (kapolda), regional heads, BPBD, and stakeholders to increase preparedness early on.
He emphasized the need to optimize the standby post, integrated patrol, strengthening the early detection system, readiness of personnel and equipment, and the involvement of businesses and the community in preventing forest fires.
Djamari hopes that the reactivation of the Karhutla Desk can strengthen national coordination so that the handling of forest and land fires takes place faster and more effectively.
Previously, BNPB announced that the Desk and Karhutla Task Force were disbanded after the condition of the forest fire in 2025 was considered under control.
At that time, forest fire control was again handed over to each ministry and agency according to their duties and authorities.
The handling of forest fires previously referred to Presidential Instruction Number 3 of 2020 and the Decree of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs Number 29 of 2025.
Through this regulation, BNPB acts as the responsible party for the implementation of the Karhutla Desk, including land operations, air operations through patrols and water bombing, and weather modification.
Although the Desk and Karhutla Task Force were disbanded, BNPB ensured that preparedness and efforts to anticipate forest and land fires continued to run according to the applicable mechanism.
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