Category: Forest Fire

Forest Fire RFMRC-SEA Wildfire

Massive Wildfire Forces Evacuation of Over 1,200 Residents in Daegu, South Korea

Daegu city authorities in South Korea ordered the evacuation of over 1,200 residents after strong winds fueled a wildfire, prompting highway closures amid growing fears of the spreading blaze.
📸 via REUTERS/YONHAP NEWS AGENCY

Daegu, South Korea — A fast-spreading wildfire swept through parts of Daegu on Monday, April 28, 2025, prompting the evacuation of more than 1,200 residents as strong winds and dry conditions intensified the blaze. The fire, which began on Mount Hamjisan in the central part of the city, quickly grew into a major emergency.

According to the Korea Forest Service, the wildfire broke out around 2:00 p.m. local time and burned through 50 hectares of land in under two hours. The rapid spread was fueled by high winds and extremely dry vegetation, causing immediate concern for nearby residential areas.

(more…)

Forest Fire INDONESIA RFMRC-SEA

Scorching Weather Sparks Forest Fires in Riau, 78 Hectares of Land Burned

Source: Facebook Ministry of Environment and Forestry Indonesia

Riau, April 22, 2025, The scorching weather sweeping through Riau Province throughout April 2025 has begun to show serious consequences. Forest and land fires (karhutla) have once again erupted across various regions, with a total of 78.06 hectares of land burned as of mid-April. This situation serves as an early warning for both the public and local authorities, especially with the peak of the dry season expected between May and June.

(more…)

Environment Forest Fire Forestry INDONESIA RFMRC-SEA

Massive Fire in Riau’s Tiger and Elephant Habitat: Burned or Set on Fire?

Riau, April 21, 2025 — A devastating fire swept through one of Sumatra’s most critical conservation areas. Five hectares of land inside Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN), located in Pelalawan Regency, Riau, were engulfed in flames on Saturday night (April 19). This is not just any land—it is home to the critically endangered Sumatran elephants and tigers.

(more…)

Activities RFMRC-SEA Forest Fire INDONESIA RFMRC-SEA

Forging Solutions for Peatlands: IPB University and Kyoto University Join Forces


April 14, 2025

A team of forestry experts from IPB University’s Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) has embarked on an important academic mission to Kyoto University, Japan, to strengthen international collaboration in addressing one of Indonesia’s most persistent environmental challenges—peatland degradation and emissions from land and forest fires.

(more…)

Activities RFMRC-SEA ASEAN CAMBODIA Forest Fire INDONESIA International Regional RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA

IPB University Professor Delivers Keynote at International Symposium in Cambodia, Calls for Regional Collaboration on Forest Fires in ASEAN

November 19, 2024 – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Addressing the urgent need for regional collaboration on forest fire management, Prof. Bambang Hero Saharjo, a leading expert in forest and environmental fire science from IPB University, delivered a powerful keynote speech at the Mekong-Korea Forest Fire Symposium (MKKF) 2024 held at the Sokha Siem Reap Palace Hotel, Cambodia.

(more…)

Activities RFMRC-SEA ASEAN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Forest Fire Forestry FRANCE INDONESIA Malaysia RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA THAILAND

Global Synergy to Combat Forest and Land Fires: IPB University and the French Embassy Host the 2nd International Fire Conference

Photo: group photo (Copyright: Committee)

Bogor, August 5, 2024 – In a strong demonstration of international cooperation, IPB University and the French Embassy in Indonesia convened the 2nd International Fire Conference, bringing together experts and delegates from Malaysia, France, Brunei Darussalam, South Korea, and Thailand. The event served as a vital platform to strengthen global commitment in reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by forest and land fires (Karhutla).

(more…)

Activities RFMRC-SEA Forest Fire GFMC INDONESIA ITTO RFMRC-SEA

IPB University Expert Represents Indonesia in Drafting Revised ITTO Guidelines on Forest Fire Management

August 6, 2024

Forest fires and the resulting haze have become recurring environmental disasters in Southeast Asia, prompting international concern and action. These challenges have led to the formation of dedicated forums by global organizations to address fire management in high-risk regions—Indonesia included.

(more…)

Activities RFMRC-SEA ASEAN Forest Fire INDONESIA RFMRC-SEA

Fahutan IPB University Honors Clean Air Champions for Forest Fire Prevention Efforts

May 17, 2024

In recognition of outstanding efforts in forest and land fire prevention and commitment to creating cleaner air, the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) of IPB University has once again presented the Clean Air Champion Award. This year’s award also reached the national level, highlighting individuals and institutions making significant impacts across Indonesia.

The award ceremony was held at the IPB International Convention Center (IICC) in Bogor and was led by Prof Iskandar Z Siregar (Vice-Rector for Global Connectivity, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs at IPB University), Prof Naresworo Nugroho (Dean of Fahutan), and Prof Bambang Hero Saharjo (Director of the Regional Fire Management Resource Center – Southeast Asia/RFMRC-SEA).

Based on Decree No. 39/IT3.F4/KP/2024, recipients of the award for the Kalimantan region included:

  1. Akhmad Tamanuruddin (Kelurahan Kalampangan, Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan),

  2. Kamison (Village Forest Management Institution/LPHD, Tuwung),

  3. Sahat Irawan Manik, SH MM (Regional Division II, Kalimantan Fire Management Unit).

For Sumatra, Decree No. 40/IT3.F4/KP/2024 recognized:

  1. Drs H Edward Candra, MH (Head of the South Sumatra Provincial Environmental and Land Office – Individual category),

  2. Yozarwardi UP, SHut, MSi (Head of the West Sumatra Forestry Office – Group category),

  3. Haris Suyanto (Manggala Agni Fire Brigade, Daops Sumatra XVII/OKI).

According to Prof Bambang Hero Saharjo, chair of the selection committee, candidates were assessed using strict criteria, including physical and mental fitness, high dedication, and a sincere work ethic. Most importantly, their working areas must have remained fire-free for at least two years (2022–2023), as verified by satellite data and field checks. In cases where fires occurred in 2022, demonstrable and successful efforts to reduce fire incidents in 2023 were also considered.

Additional indicators included proactive involvement in community training and outreach for community-based fire prevention programs (PLTB), and whether their areas had become references for forest fire control best practices. The selection process also received support from Senior Behavioural Scientists from Influence at Work (UK) Limited, ensuring objectivity and credibility.

The award ceremony was followed by a talk show featuring previous Clean Air Champion Award recipients. The session served as a platform to share experiences and strategies for effective fire prevention. Among the speakers were Muhammad Nur (Head of the West Kalimantan Environmental and Forestry Office), Maimun from Ketapang, West Kalimantan, and Andrean from Manggala Agni Daops Siak, Riau.

Participants and awardees also joined the Pesona Hijau Kampus (Campus Green Enchantment) event, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and IPB University. The event was attended by the Minister and Secretary-General of KLHK, as well as university leaders.

During the event, IPB University and Field Indonesia launched a new PM2.5 air quality monitoring application and introduced a Fire Simulator, a product of collaborative research between IPB University and the French government, coordinated by the RFMRC.

Also present at the award ceremony were Dr Raffless Panjaitan (Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Forestry), representatives from the Directorate of Forest and Land Fire Control at KLHK, Field Indonesia, as well as other distinguished guests and award selection committee members.

ASEAN Forest Fire RFMRC-SEA THAILAND

Thailand detects over 15,000 hotspots in forests and farmlands

Thailand detects over 15,000 hotspots in forests and farmlands

By Pattaya Mail |
The most hotspots in the North amounted to 2,823 in Mae Hong Son province, followed by 1,971 hotspots in Lampang and 1,665 in Chiang Mai.

The Interior Ministry has detected 15,716 hotspots which cause haze so far this year.

Sutthipong Chulcharoen, permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, said that from Jan 1 to March 20 there were 15,716 hotspots including 6,757 in national forest reserves, 4,594 in conservation forests and 2,172 in farmland.

The most hotspots in the North amounted to 2,823 in Mae Hong Son province, followed by 1,971 hotspots in Lampang and 1,665 in Chiang Mai.

In the corresponding period last year there were 51,536 hotspots. This year’s hotspots dropped by 35,820 or 69.50%.

Mr Sutthipong said the Interior Ministry instructed governors of all provinces, especially those in 17 Northern provinces, to monitor local forest fires, hotspots and haze situations, improve response plans and order organizations concerned to take legal action strictly to limit haze. (TNA)

Link: https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thailand-detects-over-15000-hotspots-in-forests-and-farmlands-393103

ASEAN Forest Fire RFMRC-SEA THAILAND

Fire fighters containing forest fires in Ob Khan national park in Chiang Mai

Fire fighters containing forest fires in Ob Khan national park in Chiang Mai

March 5, 2022

Chiang Mai Provincial Governor Prachon Prachsakul has ordered local officials and relevant agencies to assist in containing the spread of forest fires at Ob Khan national park in the province.

About 35 fire fighters from the national park and the Mirror Foundation, who have been battling the fires, have complained that there are not enough of them to cope with the fires, which have been burning for more than three days and stretch for about three kilometres through the forest in the park.

Without timely reinforcements, they have expressed concern that the entire 6,000 hectare forest may be wiped out.

The line of fires is located far from communities, but satellite images have detected many hot spots, many of them close together.

Nipaporn Paisarn, the national park chief, said that damage to the forest cannot be assessed yet.

According to the governor, the fires are concentrated in four locations in the park and men from Hang Dong district office have already been sent to battle the fires.

Meanwhile in the neighbouring province of Mae Hong Son, the level of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere is beyond safety limits due to fires in the province and in Myanmar.

2,000 hot spots have been detected in Myanmar and 800 in Mae Hong Son from satellite images.

Most fires in Thailand’s northern provinces were man-made, when farmers burn farm waste or when villagers set fires in forests to help them hunt for wildlife.

Link: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/fire-fighters-containing-forest-fires-in-ob-khan-national-park-in-chiang-mai/