Unraveling the Complexity of Forest Fire Cases in Riau Province: An Adaptive and Sustainable Policy Recommendation

Abstract

The increased burned land area from 1,219 hectares in 2022 to 2,632 hectares in 2023 indicates a significant escalation in environmental losses due to forest fires in Riau Province. The need for a quick and effective response from the government and the implementation of adaptive policies is crucial. This research has the potential to provide better policy guidance in dealing with forest fires in Riau Province to maintain environmental sustainability and the welfare of local communities. This research uses a qualitative approach with interviews, documentation, and field observation methods. The collected data was analyzed using Nvivo 12 Plus software. The main findings of this research show that forest fires in Riau Province are influenced by five dominant factors: land clearing with illegal burning, extreme weather, weak monitoring and law enforcement, land and ecosystem degradation, and lack of facilities and resources. Each of these factors contributes to increased fire frequency and intensity and negative impacts on the environment, public health, and regional economies. Stricter law enforcement and ecosystem restoration are considered crucial to overcome this problem. Increasing firefighting capacity, public education, early detection systems, and licensing arrangements are also needed to reduce the fire risk. Synergistic implementation of policies requires cooperation between government, society, and the private sector.