Indonesia aims to predict forest fires up to six months ahead

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2 hours ago

..we are now validating the model to forecast fire conditions three and six months in advance,

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is strengthening research to forecast forest and land fires three to six months in advance to improve preparedness, BRIN Chief Arif Satria said.

President Prabowo Subianto had instructed BRIN to conduct the research to strengthen medium- and long-term fire management, Arif said after a limited meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

“The research is already underway, and we are now validating the model to forecast fire conditions three and six months in advance,” he said.

In addition to developing fire-prediction models, BRIN is studying how fires spread in areas affected by forest and land fires.

The findings are expected to help authorities anticipate fire spread and provide more time to prepare preventive measures.

BRIN also plans to collaborate with universities on research into fire forecasting and fire-spread patterns.

Predicting fire risks is crucial to strengthening prevention and response efforts, rather than waiting until fires have already broken out, Arif said.

BRIN also monitors hotspots daily using satellite imagery and shares the data with relevant agencies, including the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the Forestry Ministry, to support fire prevention and response efforts.

Arif said BRIN is mandated to use satellites and satellite imagery for various purposes, including hotspot detection.

“We use the satellite imagery available at BRIN for various purposes, including detecting fire hotspots,” he said.