NDRAGIRI HULU, RIAU – Forest and land fires (kebakaran hutan dan lahan or Karhutla) at several locations in Indragiri Hulu (Inhu), Riau, have prompted various stakeholders to work together on fire response efforts. One of them is PT Tunggal Perkasa Plantations (PT TPP), which has deployed personnel and equipment to support firefighting efforts in areas surrounding its operations.
The support was provided in Danau Baru Village, West Rengat District, and Sungai Guntung Hilir Village, Rengat District, located approximately 14 kilometres and 27 kilometres from PT TPP’s operational areas, respectively. The company deployed six members of its Fire Prevention Emergency Response Team (TKTD), coordinated by PT TPP Sustainability PIC Wisnu Prayogo.
In Danau Baru Village, PT TPP personnel worked alongside relevant authorities and stakeholders to contain the fire beginning on 4 August 2026. After the situation was brought under control, the personnel were subsequently redeployed to support firefighting efforts in Sungai Guntung Hilir.
As of 10 August 2026, PT TPP’s TKTD team remained on site to support firefighting efforts in Sungai Guntung Hilir. The response has been carried out in stages and in coordination with other companies, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and Manggala Agni, Indonesia’s specialised forest and land fire control brigade.
In addition to personnel, PT TPP also provided a mini excavator, which was deployed to the site on 8 August 2026.
The heavy equipment is being used to help establish firebreaks and excavate water sources needed to support firefighting operations.
These measures reflect the fact that responding to forest and land fires involves more than simply extinguishing flames. Access to water sources, accessibility to fire locations, and measures to prevent fires from spreading or reigniting are all critical components of an effective response.
Victor Aybund, Administrator of PT TPP, said the company’s involvement represents its support for fire response efforts as well as its commitment to protecting the environment and communities surrounding its operational areas.
“We strive to be present when support is needed. We are deploying our available personnel and equipment to support firefighting efforts alongside all parties on the ground. Thankfully, the situation in Danau Baru has been brought under control, and our support is now focused on assisting the response in Sungai Guntung Hilir,” Victor said on 11 August 2026.
According to Victor, addressing forest and land fires requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders because conditions on the ground can change rapidly. Coordination and collaboration are therefore essential to containing fires quickly and preventing them from spreading.
“We hope that collaboration among all stakeholders can accelerate firefighting efforts and prevent the fires from spreading. Most importantly, we must work together to protect this area and minimise the impact on communities and the environment,” he added.
Strengthening Fire Preparedness
PT TPP’s preparedness measures had been implemented well before the fires occurred in August 2026. As the dry season approached, the company strengthened its Emergency Response Team, inspected firefighting personnel and equipment, conducted patrols in areas considered vulnerable to fire, and enhanced coordination with stakeholders surrounding its operational areas.
Preparedness was also strengthened through forest and land fire readiness briefings and capacity-building activities for field teams. These measures are designed to ensure that personnel are not only prepared to respond when a fire occurs but can also act quickly when early signs of fire are detected.
In responding to forest and land fires, PT TPP also prioritises collaboration with local communities, regional authorities, security forces, and other relevant stakeholders. For the company, preventing forest and land fires is a shared responsibility that requires the involvement of multiple elements of society.
The response to forest and land fires in Indragiri Hulu highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing fires on the ground. Personnel from different institutions work together to contain fires, while the availability of equipment and infrastructure plays an important role in accelerating response efforts.
PT TPP is contributing to these efforts by deploying its Emergency Response Team and equipment, including a mini excavator to support fire control operations in the field.
The company stated that this support forms part of its broader efforts to protect the environment and communities surrounding its operational areas, in line with its commitment to maintaining sustainable operations while addressing environmental and social considerations.
Through the spirit of “Synergy Between Earth and People for One Indonesia,” PT TPP continues to encourage cross-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the threat of forest and land fires. Effective fire management is not only about extinguishing flames, but also about preventing further spread and protecting the environment so that it remains safe for surrounding communities.
Source: Riau Aktual
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