BMKG Reveals Why Cloud Seeding Cannot Yet Be Used to Fight Forest Fires

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has revealed that Weather Modification Operations (OMC) to assist in extinguishing forest and land fires (karhutla) that are increasingly widespread in several regions cannot yet be carried out. This is due to the absence of convective clouds, which are the primary requirement for salt seeding.

OMC is an intervention to increase the potential for rain by seeding clouds with salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), using a special aircraft based on scientific data. The process involves a team of experts from BMKG, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and the Indonesian Air Force.

BMKG Deputy for Weather Modification, Tri Handoko Seto, confirmed on Monday that current conditions mean the operation is unlikely to be feasible for at least the next 10 days, depending on cloud development in each region. “Conditions vary by region, but we continue to monitor for potential clouds suitable for OMC,” he said.

The statement was made in response to the escalating forest and land fire incidents reported by BNPB from 7 to 10 August 2026, which have affected areas across Sumatra, Java, Bangka Belitung, Sulawesi, North Maluku, and Southwest Papua.

Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Communication Centre, reported that in East Java, a significant fire has impacted the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS). The total burned area reached 520 hectares as of Sunday evening, 9 August, forcing park authorities to close all tourist entry points starting Saturday, 8 August, until an undetermined time. Also in East Java, a fire destroyed 6.5 hectares of Perhutani land on Mount Watangan in Jember Regency. In West Java, flames consumed two hectares of land in Subang, while in Central Java, fires burned two hectares in Jepara and three hectares in Banyumas due to waste burning.

On Sulawesi Island, the fires expanded to burn 72.4 hectares of land on Bakalan Island in Banggai Kepulauan, and three hectares on Mount Batu Pongki in Tojo Una-Una, Central Sulawesi. In South Sulawesi, joint teams are still working to extinguish a fire that has scorched 15 hectares of land in Tana Toraja.