Indonesia faces widespread forest and land fires

Indonesia is facing widespread forest and land fires (karhutla) across several provinces, prompting increased aerial patrols and government warnings. In Central Kalimantan, aerial patrols using Bell 206 helicopters have identified new fire spots in Pulang Pisau and thick smoke in Palangka Raya, with some fires threatening vital high-voltage power line infrastructure.

In Riau, authorities report progress as several hotspots have been extinguished, though efforts have shifted toward cooling peatlands to prevent underground embers from reigniting. Currently, 25 hotspots have been detected across various regencies, including Indragiri Hulu and Dumai. Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned that Central Sulawesi faces a medium to very high fire risk through August 15 due to high temperatures and low humidity.

Legislators are calling for stronger mitigation strategies, noting that fires frequently recur in the same locations in South Sumatra every dry season. While weather modification operations have been deployed in some areas, officials emphasize that proactive mapping and intensified patrols are essential to prevent large-scale outbreaks.