Why Does Forest Fire Extinguishment Take So Long? BNPB Head Reveals Obstacles
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNB) has revealed the obstacles encountered in handling forest and land fires (Karhutla) in several regions of Indonesia. Weather conditions and the availability of water for extinguishing the flames have become significant challenges.
“We understand there is scrutiny regarding why the extinguishing process in several locations takes quite a long time. The conditions on the ground are indeed not the same between one region and another. The obstacles primarily involve land character, access, weather, and the availability of water sources,” said the Head of BNPB, Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, when contacted on Saturday (5/9/2026).
Suharyanto explained that in peatlands, fire can persist beneath the surface. Consequently, officers must perform cooling processes and conduct further monitoring.
“In several locations, land access is also difficult, necessitating the support of water bombing. This is compounded by hot, dry conditions and winds that can cause fire spots to reappear. Therefore, the process is not always completed in a single attempt. We continue to strengthen both ground and air operations, prioritising fires that have the potential to spread and threaten communities,” he explained.
Furthermore, Suhary to noted that the implementation of Weather Modification Operations (OMC) also faces challenges. The execution of OMC must take into account atmospheric conditions that allow for such interventions.
“Specifically, the availability of clouds that can be seeded, the direction and development of clouds must be appropriate, and wind conditions and other meteorological factors must be supportive. Therefore, if there are no clouds that meet the requirements, seeding will not be effective,” he said.
He added that, so far, hotspots are still being monitored in several regions, ranging from West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan to Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra. His agency continues to verify whether these hotspots indicate actual fires or merely fire spots.
“We then assess the burnt area, peat conditions, access, weather, and the level of threat. From there, we determine whether ground operations are sufficient or if air support is needed, including water bombing and OMC. Thus, our goal is not just the number of hotspots, but ensuring every fire spot is controlled immediately before it spreads,” he concluded.