Indonesia Tackles Forest Fires with Air and Ground Operations Across Six Provinces

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is intensifying efforts to combat widespread forest and land fires across the archipelago. The agency is deploying a dual approach, combining ground crews with extensive aerial operations in six priority provinces: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.

Aerial support includes patrol helicopters, aircraft for weather modification operations (OMC), and water-bombing helicopters. In total, 39 aerial units are engaged in monitoring and combating the fires. For instance, Riau province alone has one patrol helicopter, one OMC aircraft, and five water-bombing units. Other provinces also receive significant aerial resources, with South Sumatra deploying seven water-bombing helicopters and West Kalimantan deploying five.

These aerial missions are crucial for monitoring fire progression, detecting hotspots, and directly assisting in extinguishing fires, particularly in areas inaccessible by ground teams. Weather modification operations are also being conducted, contingent on cloud conditions and the specific needs of the priority regions. The integrated approach, supported by a command post and stakeholder collaboration, aims to bring the escalating fires under control.