Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has ordered authorities to drill water wells at forest and land fire hotspots in Riau Province to prevent them from developing into active fires and triggering wider blazes.
“Don’t wait until they become fire spots. Please go to those hotspots and take early action. Can water wells be drilled in those areas?” Prabowo said on Monday during a meeting on forest and land fire mitigation in Pekanbaru City, Riau Province.
According to Prabowo, the 306 hotspots detected in Riau should be immediately addressed by drilling water wells.
“I think we should immediately drill water wells at all 300 points. As soon as there is a hotspot, drill a water well there. Don’t wait until it becomes a fire,” he said.
He also called for other preventive measures, including canal blocking and water reservoirs, while urging authorities to continue weather modification operations and keep water-bombing helicopters on standby.
“As soon as there is a hotspot, take preventive action. Canal blocks, reservoirs, water wells. Weather modification operations should continue to be pursued. Water-bombing helicopters should be on standby,” the president said.
The Riau Regional Agency for Disaster Countermeasures (BPBD) reported that 306 hotspots had been detected in the province as of Aug. 23. Of these, seven had developed into active fires across four districts.
The area burned in Riau from January to August reached 16,277.50 hectares, with about 900 hectares still burning at seven locations, the agency noted.
Prabowo ordered authorities to put out the remaining fires immediately and instructed the military and police to deploy personnel to support the operation.
Related news: Prabowo reaffirms strict ban on land burning in Indonesia
Translator: Maria Galuh, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
Copyright © ANTARA 2026