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Indonesia wildfire crisis: 72 suspects arrested as President Prabowo mandates crackdown
Indonesia is facing a major wildfire crisis across Sumatra and Borneo, exacerbated by El Niño and prolonged dry conditions. The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has identified 72 suspects in connection with 89 reported cases of forest and land fires across nine provinces. Authorities are investigating whether these fires were intentionally set to clear land for agriculture at a lower cost, with investigations potentially extending to corporations that may have funded or directed the activities.
President Prabowo Subianto has taken a direct role in managing the crisis, visiting affected areas in Kalimantan and issuing strict mandates. He has ordered the revocation of business permits for any corporations found to be involved in land burning and has called for immediate preventive measures, such as the construction of water wells at hotspots. To support firefighting efforts, the government is deploying additional aircraft, including 17 water-bombing units, and has authorized the use of foreign-registered aircraft.
In response to the ongoing fires, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reactivated weather modification operations to induce rain. Additionally, officials are exploring innovative firefighting solutions, including a tuber-based suppressant made from cassava flour. Meanwhile, Malaysia has expressed readiness to provide aerial assistance, utilizing its amphibious aircraft to support suppression efforts if requested.
Entities
BNPB · Indonesia · Indonesian National Armed Forces · Indonesian National Police · Kageogama · Kalimantan · Listyo Sigit Prabowo · Malaysia · Ministry of Environment · Ministry of Forestry · National Disaster Management Agency · National Disaster Mitigation Agency
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Prabowo conducted an aerial patrol using a helicopter to monitor fire hotspots in West Kalimantan.
- [● 9 SOURCES] President Prabowo assigned specific TNI and Polri leaders to manage fire containment across four different Kalimantan provinces.
- [● 13 SOURCES] President Prabowo ordered that parties violating environmental protection and land-burning regulations be held accountable. theeuropetoday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ketapang Regency recorded the highest fire damage in West Kalimantan at 12,443 hectares. www.faktadaerah.id
- [● 6 SOURCES] Satellite monitoring detected 198 high-confidence hotspots in West Kalimantan within a 24-hour period. www.faktadaerah.id · theeuropetoday.com
- [● 25 SOURCES] President Prabowo Subianto traveled to Kalimantan on August 22, 2026, to inspect and lead forest and land fire response efforts. www.faktadaerah.id · dnaberita.com · theeuropetoday.com · beritariau.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The West Kalimantan provincial government has declared a Smoke Disaster Emergency Alert status.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Forest and land fire damage in West Kalimantan reached 38,310.86 hectares between January and August 2026. www.faktadaerah.id
- [● 11 SOURCES] The government will add three TNI battalions, approximately 1,500 personnel, to strengthen firefighting efforts. theeuropetoday.com · malutpost.id
- [● 4 SOURCES] The government is providing heavy machinery and excavators to assist communities in land clearing without burning. theeuropetoday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The government will deploy additional TNI and Polri leadership to manage fire containment across four Kalimantan provinces.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Four corporations in West Kalimantan are currently under investigation for suspected involvement in forest and land fires. theeuropetoday.com