A

s one of the affected provinces in the country’s worst haze crisis in 2015, Riau province has followed the example of two of its regencies by declaring emergency status on Tuesday in a bid to expand fire-anticipation
initiatives.

The declaration followed those by Rokan Hulu regency and Dumai city in Riau, which declared emergency status last week after hot spots were detected in the areas. The province’s declaration also followed a call by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday for regional heads of haze-prone areas to be on the alert and have early prevention systems, Riau Governor Arsyadjuliandi “Andi” Rachman said.

“The key is early detection [conducted] together. The emergency status in the beginning of the year is part of efforts to anticipate forest and land fires,” he said in Pekanbaru on Tuesday.

“The status will give us more room to maneuver.”

The emergency status will last 96 days until April 30 and can be extended if necessary. The move means all forest and land fire post task forces, which involve the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police and other parties, will be re-activated.

“The assigned officers must go to the field to monitor fire-prone areas. Integrated patrols must also take place optimally both through land and air patrols, including in difficult-to-reach areas,” he said, adding that the provincial task force received support from the Environment and Forestry Minister.

Other prevention attempts include damming canals and educating the public about a ban on land clearance by burning. All concessionaires in Riau must also install surveillance cameras on their concessions to help with supervision and early fire detection, Andi said.

The preemptive attempts are expected to free Riau of haze.

Following the status declaration, Riau Police chief Insp. Gen. Zulkarnain Adinegara immediately ordered his subordinates to enforce the law in regard to forest and land fires. He also vowed to strengthen measures to eradicate illegal logging, which was believed to be behind most fires in the province.

“There will be no mercy for those arrested for illegal logging, be it an investor or their accomplices. The police, ministries and relevant agencies will ‘beat’ them to create a deterrent effect,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) head Sugarin said Riau would have less rainfall and enter the first phase of the dry season in February. However, the agency has forecast February will see relatively normal conditions with enough rainfall in the center and western part of the province. Coastal areas such as Rokan Hilir, Dumai, Bengkalis, Siak, Meranti Islands and Pelalawan are likely to experience more arid conditions than other parts of Riau.

He warned the government to pay attention to the second phase of the dry season from May to September as Riau would likely experience extreme heat during that period.

“We have to be prepared because the hot weather will be more severe and conditions ideal for forest and land fires,” Sugarin added.

Forest and land fires began to threaten Riau early this year following an increase in the number of hot spots across the province. Sumatra and Kalimantan were badly affected by the worst haze crisis recorded in Indonesia in 2015. Rampant slash-and-burn practices, illegal logging and a prolonged dry season that year were blamed for the fires, which worsened because of the government’s delayed response.