Prabowo Subianto Deploys Five Tactical Measures to Combat Forest Fires

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has initiated five key tactical measures to address the escalating forest and land fires affecting various regions in Kalimantan. These decisive actions were announced following his arrival at Supadio Air Base on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

President Prabowo emphasized the critical need for swift, coordinated, and on-the-ground responses to the crisis. He also urged regional governments to strictly enforce regulations and bolster preventive measures to avoid recurring fires. The central government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is actively implementing the following five-point plan:

1. **Mobilization of 1,500 additional TNI personnel:** Three battalions, totaling approximately 1,500 soldiers from outside Kalimantan, are being deployed to reinforce the firefighting teams. This deployment is scheduled to be completed by Sunday morning, August 23. 2. **Optimization of ground operations:** Ground forces are being utilized to their maximum capacity for manual firefighting in areas difficult to access. This coordinated effort forms the frontline in mitigating the spread of the fires. 3. **Reinforcement of water bombing fleet:** To expedite aerial suppression, six large water-bombing helicopters are being added to the fleet. These aircraft are expected to arrive by Saturday afternoon to target major fire hotspots. 4. **Increased Weather Modification Operations (WMO):** President Prabowo has ordered an expansion of WMO, leveraging detected rain clouds in West Kalimantan. The aim is to accelerate the natural extinguishing of large affected areas. 5. **Strengthening peatland infrastructure:** Specific focus is being placed on peatland areas, which are prone to underground smoldering. The government is increasing the deployment of water pumps and drilling equipment to saturate underground areas and suppress subsurface heat sources that could reignite fires.

Following a coordination meeting, President Prabowo immediately proceeded to Limbung Village in Kubu Raya Regency to personally inspect the peatland conditions and ongoing firefighting efforts.

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The President also stressed the importance of swift, coordinated, and direct action on the ground. The President also emphasized that Regional Governments must be firm in enforcing regulations in their areas, while also strengthening preventive measures so that forest and land fires do not recur.