BRIN Updates AI for Early Detection of Forest and Land Fires, Villages Become a Support

JAKARTA, GARISBUMI.com – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) will update artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology to strengthen early detection of forest and land fires (karhutla).

This technology will support the work of the National Peat and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN), a new institution whose formation has been decided by President Prabowo Subianto.

Head of BRIN Arif Satria said that his agency was asked to support BPGMN, especially in developing an early detection and monitoring system for hot spots or Hotspots.

"BRIN was asked to support the existence and role of this agency, especially in carrying out early detection and hotspot detection," said Arif after attending a meeting with President Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (24/9/2026).

According to Arif, BRIN has been collaborating with the Ministry of Forestry in detecting hot spots. The system will further be strengthened with more sophisticated AI technology.

"Now we will continue to update it with increasingly sophisticated AI to be able to anticipate forest fires earlier," he said.

The meeting involved experts from BRIN and a number of universities. Scientists present various technological solutions to prevent and deal with forest and land fires.

The technologies discussed include water injection, providing water pumps at the village level, as well as developing alternative materials for extinguishing fires.

Village-Based Forest and Land Fire Prevention

Apart from using technology, the government will implement a village-based precision forest and land fire prevention approach. Communities living around forest and peatland ecosystem areas are considered to have a closeness and sense of ownership to the natural resources around them.

This approach will be implemented by strengthening and revitalizing the Fire Care Community (MPA) group.

"At the village level there is a Fire Care Community which will be empowered and strengthened. So far its existence has been considered effective," said Arif.

He emphasized that villages will be one of the main forces in preventing forest and land fires in the future.

"Villages are the foundation for preventing forest fires in the future," he said.

The prevention strategy will also consider the sustainability of the livelihoods of communities around peat areas. The government and scientists discussed developing plants that suit the character of the land, such as sago, coffee and a number of horticultural commodities.

BPGMN Focuses on Six Provinces

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said that the formation of BPGMN was one of the important decisions at the meeting. This agency will prioritize preventing forest and land fires, especially in areas that have peat areas.

BPGMN is planned to be directly under the President and involve scientists and professional staff. The agency will also be equipped with a budget to support forest and land fire prevention programs.

Initial efforts will focus on six provinces with large areas of peat, namely Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra (Sumsel), West Kalimantan (Kalbar), Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) and South Kalimantan.

Raja Juli assessed that the decision to form BPGMN also shows the President's openness to science-based input.

"This is a good initiative and also shows the President's openness to receiving input, evaluations, and even criticism from scientists," he said.