BNPB Reveals 3 Obstacles Hindering Forest and Land Fire Suppression

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has revealed three main obstacles that make forest and land fires (karhutla) difficult to extinguish in several regions of Indonesia. These obstacles are drought, difficulty in obtaining water sources, and the need for canal normalisation, which pose major challenges for field personnel.

“First, drought with many days without rain. Difficulty in obtaining water in the field, including in South Kalimantan. Wells and canal normalisation are needed,” said BNPB Data and Information Centre Head Berton Pandjaitan to reporters on Sunday (23/8/2026).

According to Berton, ground-based firefighting remains the primary effort to tackle forest and land fires. Meanwhile, the deployment of helicopters for water bombing serves as aerial support for fire suppression. “The main effort is from the ground. Air support is supplementary,” said Berton.

To address water availability constraints, BNPB plans to construct wells in locations that require water supply for firefighting. The well construction will be assisted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). “The plan is to build wells with assistance from the TNI,” Berton added.

President Prabowo Subianto previously confirmed that the government continues to strengthen forest and land fire mitigation measures, particularly to prevent the spread of hotspots. “The important thing is that we immediately halt the expansion of additional hotspots,” Prabowo told reporters at Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday (22/8/2026).

Prabowo said the central government also continues to meet regional needs in handling forest and land fires, from additional water bombing helicopters to drilling machines for locating water sources. “Every day we add helicopters, equipment, drilling machines for water, and we fulfil all the necessary supplies,” he said.