Jakarta. APRIL Group has declared a Fire Danger Period across its concession areas in Riau Province, Sumatra, which will run to 30 September. While the weather forecast is for average conditions, the company has ramped up its fire prevention and management activities in line with its standard procedures.

During the Fire Danger Period, in line with established best practices, APRIL will increase ground and air patrols to monitor for fire-related incidents, while also continuing to work with local communities to help reduce the risk of fires. Each year, APRIL declares a Fire Danger Period to put its fire operations teams on high alert and to monitor and respond to any hotspots or fire incidents that arise in its concession areas.

APRIL has also committed that it will help suppress any fires occurring within 3 kilometers of the boundaries of its concessions. This declaration is a key element of APRIL’s integrated approach to forest fire management and part of its continued commitment to working with government agencies, other concession holders, and communities to mitigate the risk of fire during dry seasons. Prevention remains key to APRIL’s approach to fire management.

APRIL has worked continuously with communities since 2014 through its Fire Free Village Program (FFVP) to educate and raise awareness about responsible forestry management practices among local villages. Today, the FFVP is comprised of 42 participating villages, covering a total area of 902,872 hectares. Fire incidents in the areas covered by the FFVP have been reduced by more than 90 percent since the program began.

“Our years of experience have shown that the most important factor in preventing fire continues to be active engagement with communities, as well as local government agencies, other concession holders, and other stakeholders. This commitment to stakeholder collaboration remains key to our overall approach to fire management and prevention,” said Sihol Aritonang, President Director, PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (PT. RAPP), the operating arm of APRIL Group.

Since 1993, APRIL has operated a strict ‘No Burn’ policy and continues to adhere to the Indonesian Government’s legal requirement to address the risks posed by fires. The company has also invested heavily in fire detection and suppression technology, through satellite imaging and CCTV towers located around the forest plantations. Its resources also include one helicopter, two airboats, 345 professional firefighters, 26 CCTV units, 196 water pumps, and training for 735 volunteers across 49 Riau villages. In the case of potential hotspots or fire incidents APRIL has prepared a 24-hour Fire Hotline (+62 811 707 2121) to enable people to report on fires occurring around its concession areas.

About APRIL Group APRIL Group is a leading producer of fiber, pulp, and paper with plantations and manufacturing operations in Riau province, Indonesia. We are committed to sustainability in our business and in the broader landscapes where we operate. Under our production-protection model, we have adopted a unique 1-for-1 goal where we aim to conserve one hectare of forest for every hectare of plantation, and currently conserve and restore about 465,000 hectares of forests, including the largest peatland restoration project in Indonesia. For more information, visit www.aprilasia.com.