Amidst the Eid al-Fitr holiday season, the forest and land fire (karhutla) task force from PT Riau Sakti United Plantations (RSUP), an entity of Sambu Group, demonstrated a high level of commitment to environmental protection and public safety. Firefighting efforts were carried out on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in the Parit 3 area, RW 02/RT 04, Tanjung Harapan Hamlet, Pulau Burung Village, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau. The fire broke out on community-owned land, impacting an area of approximately ±2 hectares. Upon receiving the report, the PT RSUP team mobilized immediately to the location to extinguish the flames and conduct cooling operations to prevent reignition.
The PT RSUP firefighting team deployed seven personnel who worked in a coordinated manner using available equipment. However, during the process, the team faced several field challenges, particularly scorching weather conditions and strong winds. These factors caused the fire to potentially spread rapidly and increased the difficulty of containment. Despite these obstacles, the team worked tirelessly to isolate the hotspots until they successfully extinguished the fire and proceeded with the cooling process in the affected area.
The water source for the operation was obtained from a trench located about 100 meters from the site. Given this distance, the team had to ensure a stable water supply throughout the process. Andy Ferrial, Public Relations of PT Riau Sakti United Plantations, explained that the team's involvement in handling land fires is a form of corporate responsibility toward the surrounding environment.
"Even during the Eid holidays, the RSUP team remains on standby and committed to responding to every land fire incident quickly and accurately. This is part of our collective effort to protect the environment and prevent wider impacts," he stated.
He also reminded the public of the importance of mutual vigilance, especially during seasons with a high potential for land fires. “We urge the entire community not to clear land by burning and to immediately report any indications of fire in their vicinity,” Andy concluded. Through synergy between the company and the community, it is hoped that land fire prevention and mitigation efforts will become more effective, ensuring the environment is preserved and public activities remain undisturbed.