Fighting fire and smoke: Officers battle Riau's forest fires

Firefighters are engaged in a relentless struggle against forest and land fires in Kampar, Riau. The operation is hampered by difficult conditions, including deep peatland that makes surface-level watering insufficient, strong winds, and a scarcity of water sources. These factors make controlling the blazes a significant challenge.

Despite the arduous conditions, the efforts of the joint forces are yielding results. The total area impacted by fires in Riau since the beginning of 2026 has been reduced substantially. What once stood at approximately 16,277.50 hectares is now down to about 900 hectares that remain under active management.

To expedite the extinguishing of the remaining hotspots, a coordinated response is underway. This comprehensive effort includes personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni forest fire brigades, and local community members. Heavy machinery has also been deployed to aid in the containment and suppression of the fires.