Fire Prevention and Management
Wilmar has taken on an active role in mitigating the occurrence of haze in the region, through the implementation of our No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation integrated policy. This policy applies to all Wilmar operations worldwide, including
those of our subsidiaries and
No Deforestation – No Burning
One of the key tenets of the No Deforestation pillar is a strict No Burning policy. We do not tolerate the use of fire in land preparation or development. Mechanical methods are employed in land development, and wood debris is left to decompose. This
returns nutrients back into the land and reduces the need for inorganic
In recent years, Wilmar has not had substantive reasons to clear land, as we have not expanded our planted areas in Indonesia. All our suppliers have been notified that any deliberate breach of our No Burn policy will result in the immediate termination of business dealings.
Public statements relating to No Burn policy or fire management:
Wilmar has a 24/7 fire monitoring system in place to alert us of fires in and around our concessions, and a well-established fire prevention and suppression programme to minimise the incidence and impact of fire and haze. Our concessions are equipped with fire-fighting infrastructure and equipment, and staffed with an on-site fire brigade. On-the-ground personnel are also trained to be vigilant and prepared to respond to fire incidences quickly and decisively.
Our 24/7 monitoring system is currently operational mostly in Indonesia as fire incidences are more prevalent. We have since intensified and expanded our programme outside of Indonesia to include Malaysia, Ghana and Nigeria. As of December 2023, we have recorded zero fires in our Malaysia and Ghana operations and surrounding areas while there have been 4 fires detected around our Nigeria operations in 2023.
Despite our best efforts, fires may occasionally occur in our concessions, particularly during the dry season. Most of these fires originate from (i) enclaves within our concessions that are set-aside and controlled by small-scale farmers and local communities who continue to practice slash-and-burn, and (ii) outside our concession areas, and have been propelled into our concessions by topography and wind. We keep detailed documentations of each fire incident, which include the location and size of the affected area, action taken, cause and duration of the fire, as well as photographs. Police reports are filed for all fire incidences, as forest burning is illegal in Indonesia. Fire incidences will also be published in our sustainability report.
While we are committed to No Burning, we recognise that slash-and-burn practices remain rampant among small-scale farmers and local communities. This often leads to uncontrolled fires that may inevitably spread to our plantations or those of our suppliers. Wilmar partners with community leaders and local governments to routinely conduct awareness campaigns at the grassroots level. Communities also undergo basic fire management training and are provided with fire-fighting equipment.
Established in February 2016, the FFA focuses on fire prevention through community engagement. Founding members include APRIL, Asian Agri, IDH, Musim Mas, PM.Haze and Wilmar. Sime Darby and IOI Group officially joined as members in March 2016, further extending the reach of the FFA’s community fire prevention and management programmes across Indonesia and Malaysia.
By March 2016, FFA has expanded fire prevention outreach to 218 villages in various parts of Indonesia. Of these, 77 villages signed up with FFA members for intensive fire-free programmes in 2016.
FFA members have reported reductions in fire incidences of between 50% and 90% from 2015 to 2016.
Since joining the FFA, Wilmar has completed a fire risk map for our concessions, which helps us to plan for the monitoring activities especially in high risk areas. We have also expanded our monitoring to areas outside our boundary up to 5 km. This is in part to ensure that any fires are quickly detected and extinguished before it reaches our plantations.
We have also socialised the ‘Fire-Free Community’ programme to 61 villages in South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan in 2016. 1.39 ha of planted area and 67.15 ha of unplanted area were burnt in 2016, representing an improvement of approximately 90% on previous years. Our 2017 goal is to halve the mean average incidence of fires from 2011-2015 in Indonesia plantations and reduce fires in the buffer areas 5km beyond plantation boundaries.
Public statements relating to the FFA:
- Fire Free Alliance Members Review 2017
- Fire Free Alliance Members Review 2016 (English)
- Fire Free Alliance Members Review 2016 (Bahasa)
- Fire Free Alliance Addresses Forest Fire and Haze in Over 200 Indonesian Villages, Welcomes New Members Sime Darby and IOI Group
- Fire Free Alliance Menangani Kebakaran Hutan dan Kabut Asap di Lebih dari 200 Desa, Menyambut Sime Darby dan IOI Group sebagai Anggota Baru
- Fire-Free Alliance to Extend Fire Prevention to Broader Landscape
