Singkawang, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia is strengthening wildfire prevention along its borders, warning that uncontrolled fires could produce haze affecting neighboring countries, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s Kalimantan fire agency said.“We must strengthen prevention in border areas. Although winds are currently moving southeast to west beyond our control, prevention efforts must be reinforced,” the agency's head, Yudho Shekti Mustiko, said here Wednesday.Prevention efforts will include integrated border-security patrols involving local governments, the military, police, communities and other stakeholders in border areas, Yudho said.“Border-security patrols will resume as they did last year. They will strengthen prevention and increase public awareness in border communities,” he said.The coordination drive came during a ministry working visit to West Kalimantan Province to assess wildfire preparedness and strengthen locally based land-management practices in Sambas and Bengkayang Districts.The delegation inspected wildfire-monitoring systems and agencies’ readiness to detect and respond to potential fires. Officials from the provincial disaster agency and environment department also attended.The delegation then visited the Aruk and Jagoi Babang border posts in Sambas and Bengkayang for coordination meetings involving local authorities, the military, police and community groups.Participants included border-post officials, disaster authorities, military and police representatives, the Dayak Customary Council, forest-management units, subdistrict and village governments, and fire-aware community groups.Yudho said traditional land clearing through controlled burning still requires supervision and assistance to prevent fires from becoming difficult to contain.“Local regulations allow land clearing based on traditional practices, but implementation must be closely supervised. Such activities must not cause fires or widespread haze,” he said.Current weather conditions and the risk of a strong El Nino also require attention, Yudho said, urging communities to avoid burning land. Controlled burning must follow regulations and receive supervision.He said monitoring and assistance remain essential to prevent new hotspots. Residents using controlled burning should coordinate with village governments and other authorities to prevent fires from spreading.“Collaboration is key. Prevention must start early, especially in border areas, so fires can be stopped before spreading and causing haze across regions or national borders,” Yudho said.