BNPB Readies 28 Helicopters to Tackle Forest Fires During Dry Season

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has recorded a sharp increase in forest and land fires (karhutla) from 1 January to 17 June 2026, with 136 incidents compared to just 63 in the same period of 2025. BNPB Deputy for Logistics and Equipment Andi Eviana stated that this rise signals the need to strengthen preparedness for a dry season expected to become more severe in the second half of the year. To address the threat, BNPB has prepared a total of 28 aircraft, comprising 12 patrol helicopters and 16 water bombing helicopters. Several aircraft have already been deployed to high-risk areas, including three patrol helicopters in West Kalimantan, two in Riau, two in South Sumatra, and one in Jambi. BNPB is also conducting weather modification operations in cooperation with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in priority provinces. Five of the six priority provinces—Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan—have declared emergency alert status, while South Kalimantan has not yet done so as it is still able to manage conditions through local agencies. Beyond the priority provinces, BNPB is also handling fires in Aceh and the Riau Islands, where aerial operations helped extinguish fires affecting approximately 40 hectares in North Aceh, West Aceh, and Nagan Raya. In Natuna Regency, Riau Islands, response efforts began after the local government declared an emergency response status. BNPB affirmed it will continue to bolster ready-to-use funds, logistics, air operations, and weather modification if fires escalate during the peak of the 2026 dry season.