Three Obstacles Make Forest and Land Fire Flames Difficult to Extinguish
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has revealed the obstacles faced by field personnel in extinguishing forest and land fires (karhutla) in a number of provinces in Indonesia. Drought and difficulty in obtaining water are the main constraints in the process of putting out the flames.
“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 Head of Data and Information Centre Berton Pandjaitan to journalists on Sunday (23/8/2026).
According to the BNPB, firefighting efforts by personnel on the ground are quite significant. When compared with the air route using water-bombing helicopters, the BNPB regards it as a support for extinguishing the fires.
“The main effort is from the ground. Air is a support,” said Berton.
To maximise the availability of water on the ground, the BNPB will drill water wells so that fires can be extinguished quickly. The construction of wells will be assisted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
“The plan is to drill wells with the help of the TNI,” he added.
President Prabowo Subianto previously assured that the government continues to pursue mitigation measures to handle forest and land fires. Prabowo said the efforts are aimed at stopping the spread of hotspots.
“I think we are. I have seen the situation, we continue to monitor it. We are taking mitigation measures. The important thing is that we immediately stop the expansion and increase of hotspots,” said Prabowo to journalists at Tjilik Riwut Airport, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday (22/8).
Prabowo assured that incentive handling continues. The central government will continue to meet the needs of regional governments, such as the addition of water-bombing helicopters and water-drilling machines.
“Alhamdulillah, this continues to run. All officials are reporting their needs, and we are trying to fulfil them. Every day we add helicopters, equipment, water-drilling machines, and all supplies, and we fulfil them,” he said.