Arya News - More than 200,000ha of land across Indonesia was burnt between January and July amid dry conditions linked to a powerful El Nino weather pattern.
JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered more troops, helicopters and firefighting equipment to Kalimantan as the government moves to contain worsening forest and land fires, with four companies now under investigation over fires in West Kalimantan.
Prabowo travelled to West and Central Kalimantan on Aug 22 to inspect firefighting operations and lead coordination meetings, as the authorities deployed more personnel and equipment to battle the fires that have intensified in recent weeks.
Speaking to reporters in Palangkaraya, the Central Kalimantan provincial capital, Prabowo said the priority was to prevent the fires from spreading further.
“The important thing is that we immediately stop the spread and the increase in fire hot spots,” he said.
He added that officials were reporting their needs to the government, which was working to provide more helicopters, equipment and machines to drill wells for water.
“I hope we can bring this under control soon,” he said.
More than 200,000ha of land across Indonesia was burnt between January and July amid dry conditions linked to a powerful El Nino weather pattern. Smoke from the fires has also reached neighbouring Sarawak, where air quality has hit unhealthy levels.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said on Aug 22 that Prabowo had decided to visit Kalimantan to directly monitor efforts to tackle the forest and land fires, known locally as karhutla.
West and Central Kalimantan are among the areas worst affected, along with South, East and North Kalimantan, Prasetyo said.
Following two coordination meetings on Aug 22, Prabowo approved additional resources requested by officials on the ground, including helicopters for water bombing, water pumps and drilling equipment, as well as fire engines and water tankers, said Prasetyo.
Three additional military battalions would also be sent from Java to reinforce personnel fighting fires in West, Central and South Kalimantan. They were expected to arrive by Aug 23 at the latest.
The government is also stepping up enforcement against those suspected of deliberately starting fires.
Prasetyo said four companies in West Kalimantan were under investigation over possible links to the fires, and that their licences could be revoked if violations were found.
“If violations are found, we will not hesitate to take action,” he said.
Asked separately about companies found to have deliberately started fires, Prabowo said: “If it is really proven, we will take action. We will act according to the law and regulations.”
Prasetyo said the President had also called for a review of local regulations that allow some land to be cleared by burning as part of traditional practices.
The government could instead help communities clear land without using fire, including by providing excavators, he added.
Prasetyo said Prabowo also instructed provincial governments to ensure residents affected by the fires were properly cared for, and called for continued public education to discourage activities that could start fires during the dry conditions.
Indonesia has long struggled with forest and peatland fires during its dry season, with major outbreaks periodically sending haze across South-east Asia.
The area burnt so far in 2026 has already surpassed that recorded during the El Nino seasons of 2019 and 2023, although it remains below the level of devastation in 2015, when fires caused a severe regional haze crisis.
The latest fires have again raised concerns about transboundary haze. Local governments in affected parts of Borneo have advised residents to wear masks and reduce outdoor activities, while Singapore authorities have said they are monitoring fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra for possible haze.
Malaysia on Aug 22 urged ASEAN countries to step up measures against transboundary haze, as air quality reached unhealthy levels in 11 areas in Sarawak and Melaka.
Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said prolonged dry weather had led to an increase in hot spots and haze activity in the southern ASEAN region, with conditions potentially worsening as El Nino strengthens.
He urged ASEAN countries to increase hot spot surveillance, enforce restrictions on open burning and ensure they are prepared to respond to fires before they spread.
Prabowo said he was confident the fires could be brought under control, pointing to Indonesia’s experience dealing with more severe outbreaks in the past.
“If we look at history, there were years when it was much worse and we were able to overcome it,” he said.
“So I believe we will overcome this soon.”