Mukomuko, Bengkulu – June 3, 2025
The peatland wildfire in Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province, has now entered its ninth day. Although the fire has not yet been fully extinguished, efforts to control and suppress it continue. The blaze, which has scorched 25 hectares of peatland, has been successfully contained and has not spread beyond its current perimeter.
“The wildfire in Mukomuko has been localized. The affected area remains at 25 hectares,” said Ferdian Kristanto, Head of the Forest Fire Control Center of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, on Monday (June 2, 2025).
According to Ferdian, extinguishing fires on peatlands presents a significant challenge. Watering the surface is not sufficient—firefighters must also soak and saturate the peat soil deeply to ensure the fire is fully out.
“Since it’s a peatland fire, the burning has to be completely stopped, down to the underground layers. The peat needs to turn into a slurry. If there’s still smoke billowing, the team has to dig into the lower layers to expose and extinguish the smoldering fire beneath,” he explained.
The affected land reportedly consists of both community-owned plots and village government land. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and determining land ownership. In the meantime, the main focus remains on firefighting.
“In addition to suppression efforts, we’ve also asked the field teams to gather accurate information from multiple sources—not just one—so we can cross-reference and confirm the cause. But right now, our priority is extinguishing the fire,” Ferdian said.
“At night, while resting and conducting evaluations, our team also takes the opportunity to engage with local residents and gather insights,” he added.
Earlier reports confirmed that a 15-person unit from Manggala Agni Lahat, South Sumatra, was deployed to assist in Mukomuko. The team brought essential equipment including water pumps, hoses, nozzles, communication devices, drones for aerial monitoring, and field supplies.
The fire, which began on Sunday, May 25, has required extensive response from local agencies including the BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the National Police (Polri).
The remote location of the fire has also posed logistical challenges. “It takes around 14–15 hours to reach the affected area,” Ferdian noted.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance, especially in vulnerable peatland zones, as the dry season heightens the risk of further wildfires.