Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency deployed dozens of helicopters across six priority provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan to combat severe forest and land fires. Meanwhile, disaster officials confirmed separate aerial firefighting reinforcements for Mount Bromo National Park in East Java following persistent dry weather.
Emergency response efforts across Indonesia scaled up significantly as disaster management authorities moved heavy air support fleets into fire-prone regions. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) assigned patrol aircraft, OMC units, and water-bombing helicopters to six priority provinces to contain widespread blazes. BNPB Acting Head of Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Berton SP Panjaitan stated on Friday that the fleet has been assigned to six priority provinces, tailored to local field conditions.
Aerial Fleet Distribution Across Sumatra and Kalimantan
The deployment targets six distinct regional administrative zones dealing with active fires and dry peatlands. In Sumatra, Riau Province deployed one patrol helicopter, one OMC aircraft, and five water-bombing helicopters, while Jambi Province received one patrol helicopter, one OMC aircraft, and two water-bombing helicopters. South Sumatra Province received the region’s largest air support fleet, comprising one patrol helicopter, one OMC aircraft, and seven water-bombing helicopters.
Operations across Kalimantan mirror the intensive coverage in western regions. South Kalimantan Province received one patrol helicopter, one OMC aircraft, and three water-bombing helicopters, while Central Kalimantan Province stands by with one patrol helicopter, one OMC aircraft, and four water-bombing helicopters. West Kalimantan Province reinforced field operations with two patrol helicopters, one OMC aircraft, and five water-bombing helicopters.
Panjaitan stressed that the operation of these helicopters is adjusted to the needs on the ground.
Mount Bromo Wildfire Prompts Additional East Java Deployments
Parallel to the multi-province response in Sumatra and Kalimantan, disaster officials addressed a separate wildfire spreading across the rugged terrain of Mount Bromo National Park in East Java, which officials confirmed on Wednesday. The fire broke out on Monday at around 5 p.m. local time in the Bantengan area of Lumajang District before spreading to the Watu Gede area in neighboring Probolinggo District. Ground task forces from Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) have been battling the blaze, but the difficult terrain prompted a request for aerial support.
BNPB head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto confirmed in Malang that meanwhile, we will support the operation with two units, noting that ground crews are currently facing difficulties due to the area’s steep terrain. BNPB aims to begin aerial firefighting operations by Thursday using either Mi or Sikorsky helicopters, depending on aircraft availability. Suharyanto added that two helicopters proved effective during a similar wildfire at Mount Bromo in 2023, and noted that we will evaluate conditions on the ground to determine whether two helicopters are sufficient or whether additional units are needed.
Ground Coordination and Weather Modification Challenges
Aerial firefighting remains tightly bound to meteorological conditions and water availability. Panjaitan noted that the effectiveness of aerial operations depends heavily on rain cloud availability and adequate water supplies. However, plans for cloud-seeding and weather modification operations remain on hold because of insufficient rain-bearing clouds, according to BMKG.
Panjaitan stressed that joint ground teams remain vital to firefighting efforts, comprising personnel from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Forestry Ministry’s Manggala Agni unit, local fire departments, the military, police, and volunteers. Ground teams continue monitoring firebreaks as dry weather persists across the region.
Official Warnings and Community Preparedness
Consequently, BNPB urges regional leaders across the six provinces to enhance early detection and ensure ground firefighting readiness in their respective areas. Panjaitan urged residents to maintain vigilance, stating that people must refrain from burning land in fire-prone areas. Anyone who spots a fire should immediately report it to local authorities for swift action.
