Palembang, South Sumatra. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered authorities to act immediately when forest and land fire hotspots emerge, as fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan have burned about 85,000 hectares and spread thick haze across affected areas.

Prabowo issued the directive as he continued his working visit to Palembang on Monday to inspect the government’s response to the fires, after visiting fire-hit areas in Kalimantan and Riau.

“Don’t wait until it becomes a hotspot. Please go directly to those hotspots. Go there immediately and take early action. Water sources can be drilled in those areas,” Prabowo said.

He called for the construction of boreholes in fire-prone areas to ensure water is available for rapid firefighting and urged law enforcement and local authorities to prevent fires from spreading.

Prabowo also called for greater public education at the village level on the prohibition of land burning and its environmental and public health impacts.

“All authorities must prevent any individuals who intentionally set fires for any reason. Provide explanations and education to all segments of society in every village. Make it clear that land burning is strictly prohibited,” he said.

The government is also using satellite-based hotspot monitoring as an early warning system, deploying helicopters for water bombing and conducting weather modification operations to encourage rainfall in fire-affected areas.

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