Prabowo summons military and police chiefs to review forest-fire response

Before departing for Russia, President Prabowo Subianto summoned the military commander and national police chief to his residence in Hambalang, West Java, for an update on Indonesia’s forest and land fires.

The meeting covered the national situation and firefighting efforts in several parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said Prabowo received reports on conditions in the field, including suppression and control operations. The government is strengthening coordination to respond quickly and jointly and to prevent fires from spreading.

The meeting took place as fires in Kalimantan remained a government concern. In West Kalimantan, the National Disaster Management Agency was monitoring 30 fire hotspots. Air quality in several areas had reached hazardous levels, while visibility had fallen below one kilometer.

BNPB’s acting head of data, information and disaster communications, Berton SP Panjaitan, said ground and aerial firefighting continued. Crews faced poor visibility, peatland that was difficult to extinguish, and limited water sources.

Central Kalimantan declared a forest and land fire emergency response status from August 31 to September 29, 2026. By August 31, the province had recorded 2,285 forest and land fires covering 6,587.84 hectares. Defense, security and regional officials attended the Hambalang meeting, including Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Deputy Police Chief Dedi Prasetyo and Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri.