Indonesia Probes 3 Firms in Jambi as Fire Haze Risks Spread

JAKARTA — Indonesian authorities have opened investigations into three companies operating in Jambi Province over suspected violations linked to wildfires, the country’s environment minister said on Monday. The minister, who did not name the firms, said the probes focus on whether the companies breached land-clearing rules that prohibit burning forests. The move comes as seasonal dry weather raises the risk of toxic haze spreading across Sumatra and into neighboring countries. Jambi, a province on Sumatra’s east coast, has recorded dozens of fire hotspots in recent weeks. Investigators are checking permits, land boundaries, and evidence of fire ignition sources on company concessions. If found guilty of illegal burning, the companies could face heavy fines or suspension of their operating licenses. The minister added that satellite data and on-the-ground patrols will guide further action. Environmental groups have long accused palm oil and pulpwood firms of using fire to clear land cheaply, despite a national ban. The government has pledged stricter enforcement this year. The probes are part of a broader crackdown as Indonesia prepares for peak fire season, which typically runs from July to October. Officials warn that uncontrolled blazes could repeat the severe air pollution crisis of 2019, which sickened hundreds of thousands across Southeast Asia.