The agency is deploying weather modification operations, ground and\naerial firefighting, and strict law enforcement to suppress fires in\nSouth Sumatra, Jambi, Riau, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and\nSouth Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
\u201cBMKG predicted a strong El Ni\u00f1o in 2026, and that has indeed proven\ntrue, with burned areas expanding across provinces where peatlands are a\npriority,\u201d BNPB Head Suharyanto said in a written statement received on\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
According to Suharyanto, weather modification operations have proven\nthe most effective of the three firefighting methods, as the resulting\nrainfall can cover vast areas.<\/p>\n
Ground firefighting operations rank second in effectiveness,\nparticularly in peatlands, where underground fires are difficult to\nextinguish. Water bombing ranks third due to the limited payload\ncapacity of around four tons per sortie.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, these three methods are inseparable. Water bombing knocks\ndown the fire front, allowing ground crews to step in and douse the\nterrain. Without water bombing, ground forces face extreme risks,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
Suharyanto emphasized that peatland fires require specialized\nhandling. While surface flames may appear to have been extinguished,\nembers can continue to smolder deep underground.<\/p>\n
To address this, the agency uses peat injection nozzles to pump water\n1 to 2 meters deep into the soil.<\/p>\n
He added that among the three affected provinces in Kalimantan, South\nKalimantan has experienced relatively milder fire impacts.<\/p>\n
The BNPB head also stressed directives from the president and vice\npresident to maximize weather modification operations whenever rain\nclouds show even the slightest potential to produce rainfall.<\/p>\n
These directives also apply to areas across Kalimantan and Sumatra\nthat are currently free of fires.<\/p>\n
He cited Banjarmasin as an example, noting that although there were\nno active fires in the city, cloud seeding was carried out after the\nMeteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) identified\npotential rain clouds to protect the city from drifting smoke from\nvarious neighboring districts.<\/p>\n
Nationally, BNPB data as of September 8, 2026, shows that the\nestimated total area of burned land across the six priority provinces\nhad reached 76,922.3 hectares.<\/p>\n
Of the 72,009.10 hectares of burned peatland recorded through\nSeptember 6, 2026, 939.45 hectares remained under intensive firefighting\nefforts.<\/p>\n
Related news: Gibran apologizes as toxic haze from land fires\npersists in Kalimantan<\/p>\n
Related news: Japanese aircraft conduct test flights to combat forest\nfires: BNPB<\/p>\n
Related news: VP calls for intensified patrols to prevent wildfires\nthrough 2027<\/p>\n
Translator: Hana Dewi, Raka Adji<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-intensifies-forest-fire-response-in-six-priority-provinces-1789228247", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }