Hundreds of hectares burned as joint operations intensify in Sumatra
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has ramped up firefighting operations in Riau and the Riau Islands as forest and land fires threaten communities, agriculture, and cross-border air quality.
Multi-Region Deployment in Riau
The Ministry of Forestry continues to intensify efforts to extinguish forest and land fires, known locally as karhutla, across several districts in Riau and the Riau Islands. The Forest Fire Control Center for the Sumatra Region confirmed that Manggala Agni teams from four operational areas have been deployed.
The teams come from Daops Sumatra V Dumai, Daops Sumatra VI Siak, Daops Sumatra VII Rengat, and Daops Sumatra VIII Batam. According to Regional Dalkarhut Head Ferdian Krisnanto, personnel are working to prevent the spread of fire hotspots in Pelalawan, Bengkalis, Siak, Rokan Hilir, and Batam.
Mendol Island Nearly Engulfed
One of the most serious incidents occurred in Teluk Beringin Village on Mendol Island, Pelalawan Regency. Fires have burned hundreds of hectares and nearly engulfed the island, which is a key coconut-producing area near Indonesia’s outer border.
Initial community reports suggest the blaze may have been triggered by land preparation activities, worsened by strong winds. Joint teams comprising Manggala Agni, BPBD Pelalawan, police, firefighters, and local Fire Care Society members remain on the ground to contain the flames.
Progress in Bengkalis and Siak
In Bengkalis Regency, firefighters successfully extinguished a 10-hectare forest fire in Sepahat Village on Feb. 8. However, operations continue in Tanjung Leban Village, where joint teams involving the military, police, and private sector fire units are blocking and suppressing remaining hotspots.
Meanwhile, in Siak Regency, a fire in Mempura Village has been brought under control. Teams are now focused on cooling burnt areas and eliminating embers to prevent re-ignition.
Challenges in Peatland Areas
In Rokan Hilir Regency, crews face greater difficulty extinguishing fires in Rantau Bais Village. The affected peatland has limited water sources and is difficult to access, complicating suppression efforts.
The area previously experienced a major fire in 2025 that burned thousands of hectares, underscoring its vulnerability during dry and windy conditions.
Batam Protected Forest Under Threat
Fires have also been reported in Kibing Village, Batam City, within the Tiban Protected Forest area. Manggala Agni teams from Daops Sumatra VIII Batam are working alongside the Batam Unit II Protected Forest Management Unit and local farmers to contain the blaze.
The Riau Islands region is particularly sensitive due to its proximity to neighboring countries, raising concerns about potential haze impacts beyond Indonesia’s borders.
Preventing a Wider Smoke Crisis
Ferdian emphasized that recent achievements in reducing fire areas and preventing large-scale smoke disasters must be maintained. Beyond extinguishing active fires, authorities are conducting intensive patrols to detect and suppress new hotspots early.
With dry and windy weather increasing risks, coordinated efforts between government agencies, local communities, and private stakeholders remain critical to preventing a broader environmental crisis.
The renewed firefighting push in Riau and the Riau Islands reflects Indonesia’s determination to prevent a repeat of past haze crises that affected millions across Southeast Asia. Given the region’s proximity to Singapore and Malaysia, swift containment is essential not only for local communities but also for regional air quality and cross-border environmental stability.
Sources: VOI (2026)
Keywords: Karhutla Riau, Manggala Agni Deployment, Mendol Island Fire, Pelalawan Regency Blaze, Batam Tiban Protected Forest, Peatland Fire Suppression
