Indonesia deploys 35 foreign helicopters to fight forest fires

Indonesia is deploying 35 foreign helicopters to combat widespread forest and land fires across regions including Kalimantan and Sumatra. The Ministry of Transportation has granted permissions to 11 air operator certificate holders, utilizing aircraft from Australia, Russia, the United States, Ukraine, New Zealand, Laos, Vietnam, and Canada to address the shortage of domestic firefighting assets.

In South Kalimantan, the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) is utilizing the Guntung Damar reservoir as a primary water source for helicopter water bombing operations near Banjarbaru. Local authorities are working to clear irrigation channels to ensure the reservoir maintains sufficient water levels for firefighting efforts.

Health experts have warned of the dangers posed by wildfire smoke, specifically the inhalation of PM2.5 fine particles which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammation. The fires, often exacerbated by dry seasons and human activity, continue to pose significant risks to respiratory health and local ecosystems.