Cabinet Secretary: President ensures strengthened forest fire control in Central Kalimantan
President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed that the government will continue to strengthen its handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Central Kalimantan, preventing the expansion of burned areas and the emergence of new hotspots.
In a statement from the Presidential Secretariat received in Jakarta on Sunday, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the President received reports on the conditions and needs for fire handling while chairing a meeting at the Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Handling Forward Command Post in Palangka Raya on Saturday (22/8).
“During the meeting at the Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Handling Forward Command Post in Palangka Raya on Saturday, 22 August 2026, the President received reports on field requirements and ensured that government support continues to be strengthened,” Teddy said.
To strengthen firefighting operations, the government will add four helicopters for aerial firefighting, or water bombing, on Sunday.
In addition, support for firefighting vehicles and facilities to ensure water availability at fire locations is also being continuously improved.
“Fire engines are being prepared to support fire handling in the field. The provision of pumps, water pipes, and water drilling machines continues to be fulfilled to strengthen water supply for firefighting operations,” he said.
He explained that in addition to handling existing hotspots, the government is also placing prevention measures as an important part of forest and land fire control.
The readiness of all elements in the field continues to be strengthened to prevent fires from spreading or new hotspots from emerging.
Based on data from the Ministry of Forestry, the area of forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan from 1 January to 1 August 2026 was recorded at 7,634.46 hectares.
This figure is lower than in several previous years, in line with the strengthening of preparedness and mitigation measures undertaken by the government.
The President is optimistic that forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan can be brought under control soon.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the government will continue to strengthen handling measures in the field while at the same time ensuring law enforcement against parties proven to have carried out deliberate burning.
“The President is optimistic that forest and land fires can be brought under control soon. The government will continue to strengthen handling in the field while also taking legal action if parties are found to have deliberately carried out burning,” Teddy said.