{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1951124,
        "msgid": "indonesia-deploys-53-aircraft-to-fight-forest-and-land-fires-1788184224",
        "date": "2026-08-31 20:08:19",
        "title": "Indonesia deploys 53 aircraft to fight forest and land fires",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed 53 aircraft and a coordinated ground task force to combat forest and land fires across priority provinces including Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra. The strategy combines patrols, weather modification, and aerial water bombing with ground operations such as canalisation and borewell construction to improve water access. BNPB is also strengthening surveillance to prevent new fires caused by irresponsible parties.",
        "content": "<p>Berton SP Panjaitan, Acting Head of the BNPB Communication Center,\nsaid ground operations involve patrols and field checks to map hotspots\nand active fire points.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a two-pronged strategy to tackle these fires. The first is\nthrough ground operations,\u201d Panjaitan said in Jakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, the results of patrols and field checks serve as a\nbasis for personnel to conduct firefighting and subsequent cooling\noperations after the flames are extinguished.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure water availability at fire sites, the Ground Task Force is\nalso isolating areas and constructing wells and new canals to bring\nwater sources closer to fire spots and hotspots.<\/p>\n<p>BNPB has also begun strengthening surveillance in affected areas to\nprevent new fires caused by irresponsible parties.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, air operations include patrols, weather modification, and\naerial water bombing using helicopters.<\/p>\n<p>Panjaitan noted that 53 aircraft are currently deployed to handle the\nfires. Of these, 19 are being used for patrols and weather modification\noperations, while the remaining 34 are deployed for water-bombing\noperations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn priority provinces such as Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South\nKalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan, we are conducting\nweather modification operations, aerial patrols, and helicopter water\nbombing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>One example of coordination between air and ground operations is\naerial monitoring in Ketapang District, West Kalimantan.<\/p>\n<p>The monitoring results are relayed to the Ground Task Force to\ndetermine appropriate response measures at locations where fires have\nbeen detected.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure water availability on the ground, the Ground Task Force\ncontinues to carry out canalization, drill borewells, and install water\nbarriers at various locations, making water sources more accessible for\nfirefighting operations.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to water bombing, the Air Task Force is conducting\nweather modification operations based on the availability of cloud\nformations suitable for inducing rainfall.<\/p>\n<p>According to Panjaitan, every opportunity to generate rainfall will\nbe utilized as part of efforts to manage forest and land fires.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia not yet safe from forest fires despite\nhotspot decline<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia\u2019s firefighting efforts hit by fires in\nnational parks<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Cindy Frishanti Octavia<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-deploys-53-aircraft-to-fight-forest-and-land-fires-1788184224",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}