Government, Manggala Agni, and Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food Join Forces to Handle Sarolangun Fire

Fire handling in Lubuk Kepayang involved multiple parties, from local government and the Indonesian Military and Police to Manggala Agni and the company's emergency response team

Sarolangun, Jambi, 26 August 2026 - A swift response and close collaboration between multiple parties helped speed up the handling of a forest and land fire in Lubuk Kepayang Village, Air Hitam Subdistrict, Sarolangun Regency, Jambi. Local government, Manggala Agni, the Indonesian Military and Police, and an emergency response team from PT Bahana Karya Semesta (BKS) together with PT Primatama Kreasimas (PKM), part of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, worked side by side on extinguishing, cooling and monitoring efforts at the affected site.

Jambi Governor Al Haris travelled to the location in person, joined by the regional leadership forum, to observe the handling process and ensure the field team had the support it needed. During the visit, he stressed the importance of speeding up cooling efforts, particularly across peatland areas where embers can linger beneath the surface. "Today, together with the Sarolangun Regent, the District Military Commander, the Police Chief, the District Prosecutor, the Regional Legislative Council Chair and the Head of Jambi's Provincial Disaster Management Agency, we went straight to the site in Lubuk Kepayang Village, Air Hitam Subdistrict, Sarolangun," said Al Haris.

He noted that although the fire had been brought under control, thorough cooling work was still needed to prevent hotspots from flaring up again. Water bombing support was also required to reach areas difficult to access from the ground. "The fire has been brought under control, but water bombing is still needed for the cooling process," Al Haris said.

He also emphasised that tackling forest and land fires calls for close cooperation between government, Manggala Agni, the Indonesian Military and Police, community fire care groups, companies and residents. "We hope the whole community will lend a hand too. We have Manggala Agni, we have the community fire care groups, everyone is here. With such a solid team, we hope the fire can be put out as quickly as possible," he concluded.

The joint team worked together to extinguish the fire while carrying out cooling efforts to ensure no embers reignited

In the operation, 60 personnel from PT Bahana Karya Semesta together with PT Primatama Kreasimas joined the combined team to carry out firefighting, cooling and postfire monitoring.

The firefighting operation was led by Sarolangun Police Chief Superintendent Wendi Oktariansyah together with Sarolangun Regent H. Hurmin, District Military Commander Lieutenant Colonel Yahya Wisnu Arianto, and members of the Sarolangun regional leadership forum. The combined team split across several points to put out fire and embers still found in the affected area. PT Bahana Karya Semesta also deployed its Fire Task Force along with firefighting equipment to support the operation.

To prevent the fire spreading through the peat layer, the team also built canal blocks with the help of excavators. Meanwhile, aerial support was coordinated to assist with wetting and cooling in areas difficult to reach from the ground.

After around six and a half hours of effort, the fire was brought under control and extinguished. The task force continued the cooling process to ensure no embers remained that could spark the fire back to life.

Various parties coordinated directly on the ground to ensure the fire handling ran swiftly and stayed on track

Fahrizal, representing Regional Management Controller Jambi 2, said the company's involvement in fire handling forms part of the preparedness it has built up continuously, particularly ahead of the fire prone season.

"Handling forest and land fires demands a fast response and strong coordination. We keep strengthening the readiness of our personnel and equipment, while working in synergy with government, Manggala Agni, the Indonesian Military and Police, and local communities to support fire prevention and response efforts," Fahrizal said.

This preparedness is carried out through readiness musters and joint prevention activities with stakeholders, alongside ensuring personnel, tools and firefighting infrastructure are ready. The company also monitors hotspots, conducts patrols, manages water through retention ponds and canal blocks, and supports community fire care groups (MPA) along with outreach on land clearing without burning (PLTB).

These combined efforts form part of the company's broader commitment to supporting fast, coordinated fire handling, while strengthening prevention efforts together with stakeholders across its operational areas.