Cabinet Secretary Teddy Provides Latest Update on Kalimantan Forest Fire Suppression
The government has added reinforcements to extinguish forest fire disasters in Kalimantan. Five Indonesian Air Force aircraft were flown from Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base in Malang, East Java, to West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.
The addition of these five aircraft is intended to strengthen the 30-strong fleet of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) already operating in three provinces in Kalimantan affected by the disaster.
“The Indonesian Air Force has also placed several aircraft on standby at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, ready to move according to BNPB needs and the situation on the ground,” wrote Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya on Instagram @sekretariat.kabinet, Friday (21/8/2026).
Teddy also explained that, according to a report from BNPB Head Lieutenant General TNI Dr. Suharyanto, 52 aircraft have been deployed in forest and land fire handling operations across six provinces with high fire potential: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan. Of these, 30 are operating in the Kalimantan region and 22 in Sumatra.
“This addition of aircraft is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen forest and land fire handling, reduce the impact of haze, and protect public safety and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Forest and land fire disasters are indeed hitting several regions across the country. From a summary of disaster reports from 20–21 August 2026, forest fires occurred in a number of areas, including:
East Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province: Lalang Village in Manggar District, and Lenggang and Lingang Villages
Block 102 Aren, Kalianyar Village, Ijen District, Bondowoso Regency
Kaulon Village, Sutojayan District, Blitar Regency
Mategal Village, Parang District, and Giripurno Village, Magetan Regency
Tanah Gogot, Batu Sopang District, and Batu Engau District, Paser Regency, East Kalimantan
Loa Gagak Village, Loa Kulu District; Spontan Mangkurawang Urban Village, Tenggarong District; Pendingin Urban Village, Sanga-Sanga District; Kayu Bata Village, Muara Muntai District; Muara Kembang Urban Village, Muara Jawa District; and Kota Bangun Hulu Village, Kota Bangun District
The regions of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.