IKN on Forest Fire Alert with Cloud Seeding Using Salt, What For?

The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) is taking steps to anticipate forest fire disasters, particularly in East Kalimantan Province. A number of measures are being implemented to prevent forest fires from reaching the IKN area.

In a statement quoted on Tuesday (25/8/2026), OIKN, together with the Indonesian Air Force, BMKG, BPBD, and several related agencies, carried out a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) in the East Kalimantan region and Nusantara Capital City on Saturday (22/8/2026). On the first flight, a Casa 212 A-2105 aircraft departed from Base Ops Lanud Dhomber Balikpapan carrying 800 kilograms of NaCl seeding material towards potential clouds in the northern area of IKN.

“This operation is being carried out to anticipate the impacts of the dry season, drought, and the potential for forest and land fires,” OIKN wrote.

With East Kalimantan having experienced almost two weeks without rain, cloud monitoring is key to ensuring that seeding can be carried out at the right points while prioritising flight safety.

Through the OMC, the IKN Authority is working to maintain surface water availability in Nusantara and its surrounding areas.

“This cross-agency collaboration also strengthens forest and land fire prevention measures, especially as BPBD has recorded hundreds of land fire incidents in East Kalimantan throughout August,” OIKN concluded.