JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government is strengthening joint measures to address the potential for drought and forest and land fires. Coordination is being carried out with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum after the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency presented a forecast of potentially dry conditions through November 2026.

Papua Governor Matius Fakhiri said preventive measures need to be taken from the outset to anticipate the emergence of fire hotspots. Regency and city governments have also been urged to strengthen coordination with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum in their respective areas.

“We must take swift action and strengthen collaboration starting now,” Fakhiri said after a coordination meeting in Jayapura on Wednesday (August 26, 2026).

According to him, wind conditions can accelerate the spread of fires once they break out. Early intervention when fire hotspots first emerge is necessary to prevent fires from spreading.

Fakhiri said the readiness of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police is part of the support available if fires spread. Personnel can be deployed to assist the government in managing conditions on the ground.

“The Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police personnel are fully prepared to be deployed if the fires spread extensively,” he said. “We can position personnel on the front lines to assist the government in dealing with the fires.”

In addition to personnel, water cannon vehicles operated by the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police can be utilized as needed. The vehicles can help distribute water during droughts as well as support efforts to spray and extinguish burning areas.

“If drought occurs and communities need water, water cannon vehicles can also be used,” Fakhiri said. “If there is a need to spray burning land, we also have water cannon vehicles.”

Fakhiri called for response coordination to continue at the regency and city levels. Directions from the provincial leadership of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police are expected to be conveyed to their respective units in the regions.

He also reminded communities and business operators not to clear land by burning it. Such prevention is necessary as the hot and fire-prone period is expected to continue through November.

“The hot conditions are expected to persist until November, with a high risk of fires,” he said. “Therefore, we must take preventive measures starting now.” ***