Indonesia Expands Community Network to Prevent Forest Fires
Indonesia says 26,304 community fire volunteers are working across five regions, as the government prepares 500 new groups to strengthen early detection and prevention.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is preparing 500 new community fire-prevention groups to strengthen early warning in a country where forest and land fires can threaten communities and disrupt regional activity. The Forestry Ministry says its existing network has 26,304 members across five regions.
Known as Masyarakat Peduli Api, or Fire-Aware Communities, the groups help patrol fire-prone areas, spot early signs of fires and report hotspots before flames spread. Their members live close to vulnerable land, giving authorities a local presence beyond formal firefighting teams.
Kalimantan has the largest volunteer force
Thomas Nifinluri, the Forestry Ministry’s director of forest fire control, said the volunteers are spread across five regions. Kalimantan has the largest contingent, followed by Sumatra and the combined region of Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara.
- Kalimantan: 9,008 members
- Sumatra: 6,528
- Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara: 5,802
- Sulawesi: 3,052
- Maluku and Papua: 1,914
- Total: 26,304
Residents’ proximity to areas at risk can help them identify early signs and alert authorities without waiting for personnel to travel from elsewhere, Thomas said. Patrols and timely reporting are intended to limit the chance that a small fire grows and affects nearby communities.
New groups to receive training and equipment
The ministry is preparing the 500 groups on the instruction of the forestry minister. They are planned for Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara, as well as Maluku and Papua.
Members are expected to receive technical training and equipment, including firefighting pumps, backpack pumps, operational clothing and personal protective gear. Training will cover early fire response as well as hotspot detection, land preparation without burning, and the creation of firebreaks and canal blocks.
The ministry is also promoting income-generating activities, including agroforestry, beekeeping for honey and mushroom cultivation. Manggala Agni, the ministry’s fire-control brigade, supports the work through its Village Assistance Program.
Thomas cited limited budgets and equipment, the need to recruit new generations of members, and difficult geography that can hamper the movement of personnel as ongoing challenges. He said the ministry’s current network totals 26,304 people across the five regions.
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