Indonesia Prepares for El Niño, Strengthens Forest Fire Prevention
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- Indonesia is increasing preparedness measures as a low to moderate El Niño is forecast for June 2026, raising concerns over a prolonged dry season.
- Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasized stronger patrols, monitoring, and collaboration to prevent forest and land fires.
- The country has reduced forest fires by 86 percent over the past decade, showcasing progress in climate and forest management efforts.
Jakarta – Indonesia is stepping up its preparedness measures in anticipation of a potential El Niño phenomenon and an extended dry season, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said during the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) at the UN Headquarters in New York earlier this week.
“This year, we must be far more cautious. The possibility of a longer dry season due to El Niño requires heightened vigilance from all of us,” Antoni said in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He added that meteorological data analysis indicates a low to moderate El Niño event could emerge in June 2026, potentially prolonging the dry season across parts of the country.
“I have instructed all relevant agencies and partners to remain alert, intensify patrols, and strengthen monitoring in fire-prone areas,” he said.
During the UNFF21 session, Antoni also highlighted Indonesia’s significant progress in reducing forest and land fires, known locally as karhutla, over the past decade.
He noted that Indonesia has managed to cut the extent of forest and land fires by 86 percent, reflecting what he described as the government’s strong commitment under President Prabowo Subianto to climate action and sustainable forest management.
“This achievement is the result of strengthened integrated prevention and early warning systems, firm law enforcement, and community-based approaches at the grassroots level,” he said.
The positive trend has continued over the past year (2024–2025), with a further decline in fire-affected areas compared to previous periods.
According to Antoni, this improvement has been driven by enhanced hotspot monitoring and rapid response efforts by joint firefighting teams on the ground.
He emphasized that reducing forest fires cannot rely solely on central government efforts but requires close collaboration among local communities, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure early and effective prevention.
“Collaboration and preparedness are key. We must ensure that forest fire incidents continue to decline in order to protect our forests and maintain healthy air quality for the public,” Antoni said.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
