BNPB Steps Up Aerial Patrols to Fight Forest and Land Fires Nationwide

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is stepping up aerial patrols to tackle forest and land fires in several parts of the country. Acting Head of the BNPB Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Berton SP Panjaitan, said the measure was being carried out to monitor fire and smoke hotspots more effectively.

Berton made the statement during an online press conference from Jakarta on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. He said aerial patrols were essential for identifying areas that remained on fire or were still producing smoke.

“We continue to conduct aerial patrols to monitor areas that are currently burning and producing smoke, so that we can more easily carry out water bombing operations or the tasks of field task forces,” Berton said. He added that weather modification operations would also be conducted when atmospheric conditions allow.

He explained that Weather Modification Operations (OMC) require suitable conditions, including the presence of cloud formations in the atmosphere. Such conditions are needed to support efforts to induce artificial rainfall as part of the firefighting response.

BNPB has deployed both ground and aerial operations to tackle forest and land fires across several areas of Sumatra and Kalimantan. A total of 52 aircraft have been deployed, including 15 aircraft for patrols and 37 aircraft for water bombing operations.

The agency reported that forest and land fires remain a concern in South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan. Hotspots and indications of burned areas have been recorded across the six provinces, prompting continued firefighting and cooling operations.

The Agency is also conducting ground checks to monitor areas where fires have been extinguished but may still contain residual heat or smoke. The agency said aerial assets could be adjusted and redeployed between provinces depending on the latest conditions on the ground.

The government continues to combine aerial patrols, water bombing, ground firefighting and cooling operations to contain the spread of forest and land fires. BNPB said the efforts are aimed not only at extinguishing existing fires but also at preventing their spread to wider areas.