Riau Land Fire Epicenter – BNPB Report
Riau Remains Epicenter of Indonesia’s Forest and Land Fires, BNPB reports
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Jakarta, ANTARA – Riau province continues to be the primary hotspot for forest and land fires (Karhutla) across Indonesia, with the region recording the most extensive burned areas year-to-date, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
Key districts Grapple with Widespread Blazes
The BNPB has identified Kampar, Siak, Bengkalis, and Rokan Hilir districts as the most severely affected areas within Riau. Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB’s National Disaster Data, Information, and Dialog Center, stated during a disaster briefing on Monday that as of mid-July 2025, fires had spread across 12 districts and cities in the province.
Kampar and Bengkalis lead in Burned Area
Kampar and Bengkalis districts have reported the largest burned areas, each exceeding 100 hectares. Meanwhile, Rokan Hilir, Siak, and Indragiri Hilir have each recorded approximately 50 hectares of burned land. The capital city, Pekanbaru, has seen its burned area increase to 21.08 hectares, a rise of 6 hectares from the previous week’s reports, with active fires still ongoing in affected zones.
Peatlands and Plantations: Critical Fire Zones
Muhari emphasized that a significant portion of the fire-affected areas consists of peatlands. crucially, some of these fires are occurring within industrial forest concession areas, including oil palm plantations. This highlights the complex interplay between natural conditions and human land-use practices in exacerbating the fire crisis.
Enhancing Reporting and Preparedness
In response to the ongoing situation, the BNPB is strongly advocating for improved reporting mechanisms and enhanced preparedness at the regional level. The agency notes that not all forest and land fire incidents are being promptly reported to the central government, underscoring the need for more efficient and immediate information dissemination.
“Attention must be paid to the change in season and dynamics in the field to prevent negative impacts on local communities,” Muhari stated. He further stressed the obligation of plantation managers, urging them to “actively check the areas that they manage and take responsibility.”
The persistent challenges in Riau serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for robust fire prevention strategies, effective inter-agency coordination, and clear accountability for land management. As Indonesia navigates the dry season and the ever-present threat of Karhutla, the lessons learned and the proactive measures implemented today will be crucial in safeguarding communities and ecosystems for years to come.