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Jakarta, March 14, 2025 — In a strategic move to tackle the looming threat of forest and land fires (karhutla), the Indonesian government has officially launched the Coordination Desk for Forest and Land Fire Management. The initiative was inaugurated by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, at the Ministry’s Office in Jakarta on March 13, 2025.
The establishment of this desk reflects Indonesia’s growing urgency in responding to the triple planetary crisis — climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss — which poses significant ecological, economic, and geopolitical threats.
“Forest fires are not just environmental issues — they have geopolitical implications that affect regional stability, air quality, and even diplomatic relations,” said Minister Budi Gunawan.
The Desk will be led by key national institutions, including the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Minister of Environment and Forestry, the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), the Chief of National Police, and the Minister of Forestry. This cross-sectoral collaboration is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s mitigation and prevention systems for wildfires.
Preparing for a Drier Season Ahead
According to forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Indonesia is expected to enter the peak of the dry season between June and September 2025. Although rainfall continues in certain regions, hotspots have already been detected in fire-prone areas such as Gorontalo, Riau, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), South Sumatra, Jambi, Lampung, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Papua.
These regions include large peatland ecosystems, which are highly flammable during dry periods. When burned, peatlands release massive amounts of carbon, exacerbating global climate change.
Learning from the Past, Building for the Future
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni emphasized the importance of learning from Indonesia’s long history of wildfire events. He cited the major fires that devastated the country in 1984, 1997–1998, and more recently in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
Fortunately, wildfire trends have significantly improved in recent years. Compared to 2019 — the baseline year — the total area burned in 2024 declined by 77%.
“This success is the result of cooperation across government sectors, local authorities, the military, police, civil society, and even private sector actors,” Raja Juli stated.
Indonesia is also advancing permanent prevention strategies, including weather and geographic analysis, integrated wildfire disaster management, and sustainable peatland landscape management. These long-term approaches aim to build a wildfire response system that is both proactive and resilient.
Communities and Private Sector: The Frontline Guardians
Government efforts alone are not enough. Wildfire prevention and control also depend heavily on the role of local communities and the private sector. In recent years, community-based fire management programs, fire-free village initiatives, and non-burning land clearing practices have been widely adopted, demonstrating local commitment to environmental protection.
At the same time, companies operating in forestry, plantation, and land-use sectors are being called to strengthen their internal fire management units, adopt early warning systems, and actively participate in collaborative multi-stakeholder forums.
Aiming for a Fire-Free Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto has set a bold goal: a zero wildfire Indonesia. While ambitious, this vision is not unattainable. It requires consistent policy enforcement, sustained funding, technological innovation, and robust field monitoring.
The launch of this coordination desk marks a significant step forward — a move that not only enhances national readiness but also inspires confidence that a greener, safer, and more climate-resilient Indonesia is within reach.
“We can no longer work in silos. Wildfire management must be a collective mission. It’s about securing the future of our forests, our air, and our children,” Budi Gunawan concluded.
Fast Facts on Wildfires in Indonesia
- In 2019, forest and land fires affected over 1.6 million hectares across Indonesia.
- By 2024, this number was reduced to approximately 370,000 hectares.
- Peatland stores 10 times more carbon than mineral soil — and when it burns, it continues emitting carbon long after the flames are gone.
The Desk for Forest and Land Fire Coordination isn’t just another government program — it’s a symbol of Indonesia’s shared commitment to protect forests, preserve biodiversity, and combat the climate crisis together.
Because wildfires are not just natural disasters — they are a test of our unity, our responsibility, and our vision for the future.