BNPB Tackles West Papua Fires as Burned Area Hits 2,496 Hectares
- 31 Agt 2026 22:41 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Forest and land fires in West Papua Province have burned an indicative area of 2,496.39 hectares as of August 27, 2026.
- 36 hotspots were detected across West Papua by NASA satellites as of 7 p.m. Jakarta time on August 28.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The threat of forest and land fires continues to spread across West Papua Province, where the total indicative burned area has reached 2,496 hectares and 36 hotspots have been detected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) satellites. Responding to the regional escalation, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has strengthened aerial monitoring and intensified integrated response efforts in several affected regencies.
BNPB’s Acting Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Berton SP, said water-bombing operations were conducted in two helicopter deployments, or sorties, on Friday, 28 August 2026.
“The first sortie was carried out in Cluster 3, involving 26 water-bombing drops, or approximately 26,000 litres of water, over an area of around four hectares. The second sortie was conducted in Cluster 1, involving 28 water-bombing drops, or approximately 28,000 litres of water, over an area of about three hectares,” he said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
Berton said that following the firefighting operation, no open flames were found at either location, although thin plumes of smoke from the fires were still visible. The condition indicates that heat or embers may remain beneath the vegetation cover, making repeated monitoring and response measures necessary to prevent the fires from reigniting.
Cumulatively, BNPB’s aerial-operation support in Teluk Bintuni has reached three sorties, involving a total of 69 water-bombing drops and approximately 69,000 litres of water.
“The handling of forest and land fires in West Papua is carried out by taking into account conditions and needs in each area. In addition to Teluk Bintuni, fires have also been observed in several other areas, including Fakfak Regency, South Manokwari Regency, and Arfak Mountains Regency,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
Berton said the deployment of aerial assets also takes technical considerations and operational safety into account. Each helicopter mission is adjusted to the characteristics of the area and the aircraft’s ability to reach target locations effectively.
The deployment of BNPB helicopter PK-DBM will continue to be evaluated based on developments in field conditions and firefighting needs in West Papua. The periodic evaluation will also consider the possibility of expanding aerial firefighting support to other areas in need.
The assessment also takes into account the helicopter’s operational condition, the distance to target locations, access from the nearest base, water sources, and terrain characteristics.
“Technical considerations are important, particularly in areas with mountainous terrain and fire locations that are difficult to reach,” said Berton.
Overall, based on observations by NASA-Terra/Aqua, NASA-SNPP, and NASA-NOAA20 satellites as of 7 p.m. Jakarta time on 28 August 2026, 36 hotspots were recorded across West Papua Province. The total comprised one hotspot with a low confidence level, 31 with moderate confidence, and four with high confidence.
Meanwhile, the indicative burned area in West Papua Province had reached 2,496.39 hectares as of 27 August 2026, based on data from the Ministry of Forestry’s Online Forest and Land Fire Patrol Information System (SIPONGI).
BNPB, together with Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and all relevant stakeholders, continues to monitor and respond to forest and land fires in an integrated manner. The efforts are aimed at preventing the fires from spreading, protecting surrounding communities and the environment, and ensuring that resources are deployed according to the level of need and conditions on the ground. ***
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