Press Releases Strengthening Forest and Land Fire Prevention: Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Manggala Agni Hold Joint Training

Jakarta, 20 August 2025 – Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food is taking action to strengthen fire prevention efforts in response to heightened risks of forest and land fires during the 2025 dry season. Together with Manggala Agni, the Forest Fire Control Brigade of the Ministry of Forestry, the company is running training throughout the year for Emergency Response Preparedness Teams (KTD) in five high-risk regions, including South Sumatra, Riau, and West Kalimantan.

Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food has partnered with Manggala Agni since 2018 to train more than 1,200 KTD volunteers. This year, the programme will add 225 personnel who will respond to fire and hot spot alerts in their areas. Participants are trained on the three main pillars of land fire management: prevention, suppression, and post-fire handling.

The prevention module covers education methods for employees, families, and surrounding communities, preparedness exercises, and the use of early warning systems. KTD personnel also take part in fire simulations and prepare fire risk maps to support rapid decision-making. For fire suppression, the focus is on equipment handling, team formations, and rapid response strategies, with the operational target of arriving on-site within two hours of detection and bringing fires under control within 24 hours, depending on conditions. Post-fire management includes investigating fire sources, documenting impacts, assessing legal implications, and planning land rehabilitation and recovery.

“This approach reflects our commitment to protecting what matters, from our people and assets to the environment we all share,” said Haskarlianus Pasang, Head of Operations Sustainability at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food. “By working hand in hand with government programmes, we’re using technology to help prevent and manage forest and land fires, reduce emissions, and safeguard our future together,” he added.

Anselmus Ahmad Supriyanto, Head of Peat and Fire Management at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, emphasised that prevention is the cornerstone of every initiative. “Our KTD personnel are agents of change. Beyond mastering equipment, they inspire communities to care about the land we share, making fire prevention a collective responsibility,” he said. Success is measured not only by technical capacity but also by levels of community awareness, concern, and active participation.

To reach wider audiences, the company partners with Masyarakat Siaga Api (Fire Alert Community), working with residents to monitor and report fire risks. This grassroots approach ensures early detection and rapid response while fostering shared accountability.

Technology is also playing a vital role. Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food has developed GeoSMART Fire (GSF), integrated into its Sustainability Information System (GSIS). The platform uses satellite imagery to provide automated hotspot notifications, enabling operational teams to verify, respond, and upload real-time data from the field. This ensures faster decision-making and comprehensive records for future corrective action.

Complementing this, AI-enabled CCTV has been installed in concessions across Riau and West Kalimantan. The system detects smoke within a 10-kilometre radius and can distinguish genuine fire smoke from clouds or glare, often identifying risks two to three hours before satellite data is available. In one 16.000-hectare concession, just five to eight AI-powered units can replace the need for 33 conventional fire watchtowers, providing continuous monitoring and quicker response capacity.

With this integrated approach of training, community engagement, and advanced technology, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food continues its commitment to reducing emissions, protecting the environment, and strengthening fire preparedness across its operations.

For more information, please contact: communications@sinarmas-agri.com