Wildfires Burn 107,000 Hectares as Government Deploys 43 Helicopters

The government said forest and land fires had affected about 107,000 hectares by Monday (10/8), amid hot weather and an El Nino pattern expected to peak in September-October 2026. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago said suppression was being accelerated through air operations with 43 helicopters and 10-15 fixed-wing aircraft as needed. Response efforts are also being carried out on the ground, including the use of flexible tanks to supply water to crews. The main focus is six high-risk provinces: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan, which have peatlands vulnerable to burning during the dry season. Fires have also broken out at Gunung Bromo, Gunung Gede Pangrango, and Gunung Rinjani. The government said it has not yet received any reports of smoke from Indonesia disrupting neighboring countries.