Government Relies on Cloud Seeding and Ground Forces to Fight Fires in West Kalimantan

Thick smoke, rather than open flames, has become the main challenge in West Kalimantan’s forest and land fires, Indonesia’s disaster agency chief said in Pontianak.

National Disaster Management Agency chief Suharyanto said fire coverage and the number of hotspots were declining, but smoke continued to blanket several areas. Peatlands can retain smoke for longer even after authorities put out the flames.

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So there has indeed been a decline, although the smoke and haze are very thick. This haze can only clear after heavy rain.

“So there has indeed been a decline, although the smoke and haze are very thick. This haze can only clear after heavy rain,” Suharyanto said, according to a Forestry Ministry statement.

The government plans to take advantage of rain expected in the region from Sept. 4 to 8. Based on information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency, rain clouds could form during that period. The disaster agency has prepared two Cassa aircraft for weather modification operations, aiming to accelerate the wetting of the land and reduce the smoke disrupting residents’ activities.

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For West Kalimantan, we are planning two Cassa aircraft to carry out weather modification operations. Smoke can usually only be dealt with by rain. The fires have been extinguished, but the smoke is disrupting people’s lives.

“Smoke can usually only be dealt with by rain. The fires have been extinguished, but the smoke is disrupting people’s lives,” Suharyanto said. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said cloud seeding would be carried out as fully as conditions allowed, including at night if rain clouds developed.

The operation will not focus only on areas already burning. Authorities also plan to seed clouds over unaffected locations to increase soil moisture and raise groundwater levels, reducing the risk of new fires.

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Wherever there are cloud seeds, we will seed them, even if they are not directly connected to the location of the forest and land fires. We want to wet the land and raise groundwater levels so fires do not occur.