Indonesia Deploys Air, Ground Forces to Fight Wildfires

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment, Rizal Irawan, emphasized that the Indonesian government is carrying out a massive wildfire response through both ground and aerial operations.

He made the statement in response to public concerns over wildfires and deteriorating air quality in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

“The aerial operations involve dozens of helicopters and aircraft deployed for water‑bombing and weather modification,” Rizal said in a written statement received by RRI on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Ground operations are supported by thousands of joint personnel on 24‑hour standby at high‑risk locations. Firefighting efforts are being conducted both within Indonesia and across national borders.

Rizal added that the Ministerial Meeting and Technical Working Group held in Bali last July produced solutions to address wildfires. “We are monitoring wind directions and smoke trajectories to prevent a transboundary haze crisis scientifically and transparently, based on maps from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG),” he said.

These integrated measures underscore the government’s commitment to addressing wildfires and maintaining stable air quality at both local and regional levels.

Cooperation between field operations and cross‑border monitoring is expected to mitigate the risk of a haze crisis as early as possible while protecting public health and environmental sustainability. (Gusti Panji)