Indonesia races to contain fires as haze spreads

Indonesia is ramping up its response to widespread forest and land fires, deploying specialized aircraft for cloud seeding to encourage rainfall across six priority provinces. Authorities are particularly concerned as an intensifying El Nino is expected to bring a longer and more severe dry season in 2026, heightening the risk of drought, further fires, and regional air pollution.

Official data reveals a significant increase in land affected by fires, with 107,465 hectares burned from January to June, a 110% rise compared to the same period in 2023. Chief security minister Djamari Chaniago expressed the government's heightened alert due to weather conditions conducive to fire spread, noting potential signs of El Nino reaching its peak intensity in Indonesia.

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We are on alert because the weather conditions really make it possible for these fires to become larger.

The six priority provinces are Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra on Sumatra island, and West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan on Borneo island. Fires have also been reported in other regions, including Java, Papua, and Nusa Tenggara. In Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, classes have moved online due to declining air quality caused by the haze.

Despite deploying 43 helicopters and 15 fixed-wing aircraft, cloud seeding operations face challenges due to the scarcity of rain clouds. "We closely monitor even small changes in the weather. Whenever something is likely to produce rain clouds, we immediately carry (cloud seeding operations) out," Chaniago stated. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Sarawak state, bordering Indonesia on Borneo, has recorded unhealthy air quality levels, prompting schools to suspend outdoor activities when conditions worsen.

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We closely monitor even small changes in the weather. Whenever something is likely to produce rain clouds, we immediately carry (cloud seeding operations) out.