Govt Increases Weather Modification, Air Fleet for Kalimantan Fire

RRI.CO.ID, Maumere - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is increasing efforts to control the land and forest fire in Kalimantan. This was done by carrying out weather modification operation, increasing air fleet, as well as strengthening personnel and extinguishers.

In a written statement on Sunday, August 23, 2026, the Head of BNPB, Suharyanto said the forest and land fire cases were increasing. This happened especially in the West, Central, and South Kalimantan provinces, due to minimum rainfall in a week.

He further explained that peatland fire extinguishing depends on rainfall due to its characteristic. "While the surface is extinguished, the embers below the surface might still be burning," he said.

The peatlands need moisture from a moderate-intensity rain to extinguish the embers underneath. Therefore, BNPB is prioritizing weather modification operation.

The operation will be carried out again after Sunday's joint evaluation with Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency saw the salt-based cloud seeding is possible. He wished for rain to immediately fall in the burning regions.

Apart from weather modification, the agency had 30 units of helicopter on standby for water bombing and air patrol in Kalimantan. While 22 other units were prepared for the fire in Sumatra.

The number is subject to addition depending on the requirement on the field. This was following the directives of President Prabowo Subianto as well as coordination with the Defense Ministry.

Meanwhile, the on-foot personnels were provided more protective equipments and high-pressure pumps. The government also readied 100 water tanker trucks for each provinces.