Japanese aerial aid fleet undergoes flight tests to combat forest fires
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that an aerial aid fleet from Japan arrived in Indonesia today, Thursday, and has immediately commenced flight tests to strengthen the suppression of forest and land fires (karhutla) in several regions across the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, the Acting Head of the BNPB Centre for Data, Information, and Disaster Communication, Berton SP Panjaitan, stated that the assistance was transported via the JS Kunisaki vessel, which is currently docked at Kijing Port, Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan.
“The JS Kunisaki vessel is carrying three Chinook heavy-lift helicopters along with 180 to 300 personnel. Flight tests are currently being conducted at Supadio Airport, Pontianak,” he said.
Berton explained that the aerial water bombing operations by the Japanese team are scheduled to become fully operational between 11–12 September 2026, following the completion of the testing process and the finalisation of suppression strategies.
In accordance with the disaster management cooperation plan, the Japanese aid team will be deployed for 21 days to support ground and air task force operations at fire locations.
The six priority provinces for forest and land fire management include Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.
Furthermore, Berton noted that the BNPB has identified target areas for intervention beyond the six priority provinces, ranging from volcanic regions to national parks. One significant fire area is located at Mount Awu in the Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi.
Other areas under monitoring include Raja Ampat Regency in Southwest Papua, covering nine districts and eight villages, as well as the Mount Butak area in Malang Regency, East Java, which spans 300 hectares and is still being assessed.
Additionally, hotspots have been identified consuming approximately 40 hectares of land in Mount Ciremai National Park, Kuningan Regency, West Java, as well as 42 hectares at the Galuga landfill in Bogor Regency, and the Putri Cempo landfill area in Surakarta.
“The fire around Mount Awu has impacted four sub-districts, eight urban villages, and 14 villages, with the burnt area reaching approximately 913 hectares,” he added.