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.
According to data from the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Bengkalis Regency has suffered the most damage, with 31.20 hectares burned. The city of Dumai follows with 16.03 hectares, then Pelalawan with 11.50 hectares, and Siak with 7.90 hectares. Other areas such as Indragiri Hilir, Meranti Islands, Kampar, and Pekanbaru have also reported smaller-scale fires. One major hotspot was detected in Sungai Apit District, Siak, where fires engulfed 6.4 hectares of land.
The situation is worsened by predictions from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which state that the dry season in Riau is expected to arrive earlier than usual—starting from the third week of May 2025. With high temperatures and minimal rainfall, the risk of fire escalation increases significantly. In response, the Riau Provincial Government has declared a state of emergency for forest and land fires, effective from April through November 2025, allowing all stakeholders to prepare for potential large-scale fires.
Efforts to control the fires are being carried out in coordination. The BPBD, in collaboration with the military (TNI), police, Manggala Agni forest fire brigade, and local volunteers, has been conducting patrols, monitoring fire hotspots, and implementing early fire suppression. To support ground operations in remote and inaccessible areas, three water bombing helicopters provided by Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) have been deployed. In addition, a National Forest Fire Preparedness Rally is scheduled for April 23, 2025, at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, aiming to synchronize national firefighting strategies and readiness in Riau.
Head of BPBD Riau, M. Edy Afrizal, urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid using fire to clear land, especially during this hot and dry period. He emphasized that dry land is highly flammable, and a small spark can quickly turn into a large-scale fire. Public awareness, he noted, plays a crucial role in maintaining clean air and preventing the return of hazardous haze.
Forest and land fires not only destroy ecosystems but also pose serious health risks due to smoke pollution and disrupt economic and educational activities. Therefore, prevention and firefighting efforts must be carried out collectively. Government authorities, security forces, and communities must work hand in hand to protect Riau from this recurring annual disaster. While we cannot control the weather, we can control our actions. Let’s not allow one small flame to become a widespread catastrophe.