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Indonesia combats rising forest fires amid strong El Nino
Indonesia is facing a significant increase in forest and land fires, with 202,004 hectares burned between January and July 2026. This figure surpasses the totals recorded during the 2019 and 2023 El Nino cycles. While the government reported over 100,000 hectares burned in the first half of the year, independent analysis by Nusantara Atlas suggests the affected area reached over 285,000 hectares by late July.
The intensification of the 2026 El Nino phenomenon, which has moved from moderate to a very strong category, is driving severe drought conditions. In Palangka Raya, authorities have reported hundreds of fire incidents, leading to smoke haze that poses respiratory health risks.
To combat the fires, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated the government is taking an all-out approach. This includes deploying 40 aircraft, such as water-bombing helicopters and patrol planes, and conducting weather modification operations (cloud seeding) to stimulate rainfall. Challenges remain, particularly the limited availability of water sources in peatland areas, prompting local governments to propose the construction of more boreholes and water reservoirs.
Entities
BMKG · BNPB · Balangan Health Office · Department of Environment · Department of Environment Malaysia · Indonesia · Indonesian House of Representatives · Indonesian National Police · Kalimantan · Malaysia · Ministry of Forestry · Ministry of Forestry Indonesia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Indonesian meteorological agency, BMKG, has conducted 252 cloud seeding operations between 2021 and August. nczas.info
- [● 2 SOURCES] Authorities are conducting cloud seeding operations by spraying silver iodide, salt, or other particles to induce rain. nczas.info
- [● 2 SOURCES] Hydroclimatology lecturer I Putu Santikayasa noted that effectiveness is minimal during peak dry seasons due to a lack of natural clouds. nczas.info
- [● 2 SOURCES] Government data shows over 100,000 hectares of forest burned in the first half of the year. nczas.info
- [● 2 SOURCES] BMKG's Budi Harsoyo described cloud seeding as a mitigating measure rather than a permanent solution. nczas.info
- [● 2 SOURCES] Independent analyses from Nusantara Atlas indicate approximately 285,000 hectares have burned by July. nczas.info
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Under Forestry Law No. 41 of 1999, perpetrators of forest fires face up to 15 years in prison and fines of 15 billion Rupiah. kareba-toraja.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Weather modification operations in Jakarta have been delayed due to a lack of clouds.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has deployed 40 aircraft, including patrol planes, water-bombing helicopters, and weather-modification aircraft. en.antaranews.com · www.jpnn.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Forest and land fire areas in Indonesia reached 202,004 hectares from January to July 2026. ecologic.harianjogja.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 2026 El Nino phenomenon has intensified from moderate to a very strong category. ecologic.harianjogja.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] As of August 15, 2026, the Indonesian National Police are handling 40 forest and land fire cases across West Kalimantan, Aceh, and Riau. rmol.id