August 26, 2026 | 06:26 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that 4.6 million liters of water had been dropped via water bombing as of Wednesday to extinguish fires across priority provinces, though operations remain hampered by several obstacles.
Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 26, Acting Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Berton SP Panjaitan, identified the affected provinces as West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, and Riau.
"We have repeatedly highlighted the obstacles, particularly the nature of peatlands, which makes them difficult to overcome. Burning peat naturally demands a lot of water, and water sources are currently dwindling and far from several hotspots," he said.
He also pointed to climate and weather conditions that complicate aerial maneuvers. Furthermore, poor visibility continues to hinder ground crews battling the blazes.
"Even so, we continue to pursue measures to address water shortages, including drilling wells and digging canals to direct water toward the nearest hotspots," he said.
He detailed the hotspot count for each province: 2,610 in West Kalimantan, 2,110 in Central Kalimantan, 817 in South Kalimantan, 1,438 in South Sumatra, 225 in Riau, and 134 in Jambi.
To tackle the crisis, his team is deploying a dual approach combining ground and aerial operations. Ground response remains the primary line of defense.
"In several locations, in West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan, we are conducting all of this: firefighters, ground checks, extinguishing fires, and then cooling," he said.
His team is also conducting weather modification operations. "We need to inform you that rain has been falling in several districts in West Kalimantan since yesterday, this is due to the work of the weather modification operations," he noted.
He also urged residents affected by both the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) earthquake and ongoing forest fires to stay alert. "Please continue to follow guidance from local officials and field officers. Do not burn, of course, in forest and land fire areas. Do not litter. Also, do not throw cigarette butts carelessly," he said.
Read: Prabowo Targets End to Indonesia's Forest Fires Within Two Weeks
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