To prevent forest and land fires, the Ministry of Forestry provides 50 extension workers in North Sulawesi

MANADO, GARISBUMI.com – The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is strengthening the prevention of forest and land fires (karhutla) through education and community involvement. A total of 50 forestry instructors in North Sulawesi were equipped with effective communication skills, identification of vulnerable areas, as well as early detection and reporting of forest and land fires.

Strengthening this capacity took place during the 2026 Forestry Extension Technical Guidance in Manado, North Sulawesi, Thursday (8/10/2026). The activity raised the theme "The Role of Forestry Extension Officers in Controlling Forest and Land Fires".

Head of the Forestry Extension Center, Wahju Rudianto, said that extension agents have a strategic role because they interact directly with the community in their respective work areas. This closeness is an asset to build awareness and preparedness to face the threat of fire.

"Therefore, strengthening the capacity of extension workers is key in encouraging the prevention of forest and land fires through increasing awareness, preparedness and active community participation," said Wahju in his speech.

According to Wahju, the impact of forest and land fires is not limited to forest destruction and threats to biodiversity. Fires also affect air quality, public health, and social and economic activities.

Therefore, prevention and early detection need to be strengthened by involving the community, government, area managers and other stakeholders.

From Effective Communication to Initial Outage

In the technical guidance, participants learn community outreach and empowerment techniques, identification of areas prone to forest and land fires, early detection and reporting systems. They also received material on initial extinguishing techniques and work safety in handling fires.

Ferdinand Astoto from the Directorate of Forest Fire Control delivered material on forest and land fire mitigation policies and strategies.

Meanwhile, Roimen Royanto Malau from the Sulawesi/Manggala Agni Daops Bitung Regional Forest Fire Control Center presented technical material on early detection, reporting, early extinguishing and safety in handling forest and land fires.

The instructor's ability to convey messages to the community was also strengthened through effective communication sessions with Agus Joko Purnomo. This session is directed at supporting persuasive communication in controlling forest and land fires.

A total of 50 participants came from the North Sulawesi Provincial Forestry Service, North Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Center, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park Center, and Bunaken National Park Center. Other participants came from the Manado Sustainable Forest Management Center and the Sulawesi Regional Forest Fire Control Center.

Develop a Prevention Plan in the Work Area

Apart from following the material presentation and discussion, participants underwent tests before and after the training to measure capacity improvement. They also prepare a Follow-up Plan (RTL) as a step to implement the technical guidance results in their respective work areas.

The activity was opened by Wahju together with the Head of the Extension, Community Empowerment and Customary Forest Division of the North Sulawesi Provincial Forestry Service, Lucki Heintje Sualang, who represented the head of the service.

The Forestry Extension Center hopes that this training will strengthen the role of extension workers as community-based forest and land fire prevention drivers. Through assistance in the field, extension workers are expected to be able to encourage early detection, increase community preparedness, and strengthen coordination in handling fires.