Indonesia Intensifies Wildfire Fight in Six Provinces, Burns Exceed 73,000 Hectares

Indonesia is intensifying its efforts to combat widespread wildfires and land fires (karhutla) across the archipelago, with a particular focus on six priority provinces: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Riau, and Jambi. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is coordinating a multi-pronged approach, optimizing both ground and air operations. These include aerial patrols, water bombing, and weather modification techniques to suppress the flames.

So far, these fires have scorched an estimated 73,425 hectares across the six provinces. BNPB's acting head of the disaster data and communication center, Berton SP Panjaitan, emphasized that the focus extends beyond extinguishing existing fires to preventing further spread, protecting communities from smoke impacts, and ensuring swift verification and response to all detected fire hotspots.

President Prabowo Subianto has personally directed an aggressive response, reportedly visiting Kalimantan to assess the situation. His directives include bolstering aerial firefighting capabilities with 17 additional water bombing helicopters, supplying more water pumps and pipes to affected districts, and deploying approximately 1,500 TNI soldiers with individual firefighting equipment. The President has also vowed strict legal action against those proven to be involved in illegal land burning.

In addition to fire suppression, the government plans to increase health personnel to address smoke-related illnesses and educate residents on karhutla prevention. While water bombing is a visible tool, Berton clarified it supports the primary ground operations. BNPB is also preparing weather modification fleets and seed material, though successful modification hinges on the availability of rain clouds. The public is urged to reduce outdoor activities, wear masks if necessary, and refrain from burning land or trash, ensuring cigarette butts are fully extinguished.