Firefighters Battling to Contain Blazes in Five Riau Districts

Pekanbaru: A joint team continues battling forest and land fires across five districts in Indonesia’s Riau Province, while three other areas are extinguished but still undergoing cooling operations, officials said Monday.

Jim Gafur, head of Emergency and Logistics at Riau’s Regional Disaster Management and Firefighting Agency, said as of March 15, hotspots remain in eight districts.

In Bengkalis District, two fires are reported. One is in Teluk Lecah Village, Rupat Subdistrict, where active flames are still being extinguished.

The second Bengkalis fire is in Tasik Serai Timur Village, Pinggir Subdistrict, which authorities say has been fully extinguished.

In Pelalawan District, one active fire remains in Pangkalan Terap Village, Teluk Meranti Subdistrict, where firefighting teams are still working to control flames.

Dumai City has two fire sites. In Teluk Makmur Village, Medang Kampai Subdistrict, smoke persists while crews continue extinguishing and cooling operations.

“The second Dumai fire is in Mundam Village, Medang Kampai Subdistrict, with smoke still present and cooling efforts ongoing,” as quoted from Antara, Monday March 16, 2026.

Rokan Hilir District reported one fire in Rantau Bais Village, Tanah Putih Subdistrict. Flames remain active, and teams are working to contain and prevent spread.

Another fire in Bekawan Dalam Village, Parit Hidayat, Mandah Subdistrict, has been extinguished and is under cooling operations.

Kampar District also reported one fire in Rimbo Panjang Village, Tambang Subdistrict, now fully extinguished.

Authorities have mobilized air operations, including three patrol helicopters: two from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and one from Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Teams remain on high alert, continuing ground and aerial operations to prevent flare-ups as dry conditions persist across the province.