"The fires are starting outside our forest concessions but with the heavy, circular winds, they're jumping everywhere," said Kusnan Rahmin, President Director of APRIL’s Indonesia operations. "If we can't stop these fires, we will lose company assets."
APRIL's aggressive response reflects the growing urgency felt in Indonesia because of an early start to the annual fire season. Every year in dry season - usually June to October, illegal blazes are set as a cheap way to clear land for farming. Riau Province
in Sumatra has already declared a state of emergency as smoke from the fires creates breathing hazards and grounds air traffic. There has been no rain in Pulau Padang for 60 days.
APRIL raises acacia trees on Sumatra for its pulp and paper mill in Riau. Though it strictly forbids burning, the company said that since January it has lost 400 hectares to illegal fires. The Pulau Padang blazes threaten two blocs of newly planted acacia.
Operations ranging from planting to harvesting have been halted on Pulau Padang, APRIL said. Forestry workers are being deployed to augment APRIL's regular 600-person firefighting force. Head office personnel and firefighters from other locations are being diverted to the island, as well. APRIL said 25 of its employees have joined civilian volunteers to combat fires in surrounding areas.
Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) is a leading producer of fibre, pulp and paper with manufacturing operations in Kerinci, Riau Province, Indonesia. APRIL has been a pioneer in implementing sustainability practices in the pulp and paper industry in Indonesia.