Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has deployed dozens of helicopters across six priority provinces to combat ongoing forest and land fires, according to a Friday, August 21, 2026 report by ANTARA News. The aerial firefighting units are distributed strategically to tackle blazes and thick haze affecting Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Provincial Deployment of Aerial Firefighting Units
According to data detailed by Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of the BNPB Center for Data, Information, and Communications, the agency has deployed a specialized mix of patrol helicopters, weather modification aircraft, and water-bombing helicopters tailored to local needs on the ground. Riau Province receives one patrol helicopter, one weather modification aircraft, and five water-bombing helicopters, while neighboring Jambi is equipped with one patrol helicopter, one weather modification aircraft, and two water-bombing helicopters. In Sumatra Selatan, operations utilize one patrol helicopter, one weather modification aircraft, and seven water-bombing helicopters, as reported by ANTARA News.
Operations across Kalimantan are similarly scaled to meet regional severity. Kalimantan Selatan operates one patrol helicopter, one weather modification aircraft, and three water-bombing helicopters. Kalimantan Tengah utilizes one patrol helicopter, one weather modification aircraft, and four water-bombing helicopters. Kalimantan Barat maintains the highest regional allocation of patrol aircraft with two patrol units, alongside one weather modification aircraft and five water-bombing helicopters, according to BNPB deployment figures.
Ground Coordination and Weather Modification Efforts
Aerial suppression efforts rely heavily on concurrent ground operations and meteorological conditions, as stated by Berton SP Panjaitan. Effective water-bombing depends on nearby water sources and localized rain clouds, prompting the BNPB to collaborate directly with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) to monitor and target potential rain cloud formations for weather modification operations. Ground response teams comprise personnel from regional disaster management agencies (BPBD), Manggala Agni from the Ministry of Forestry, local firefighting services, the Indonesian military and police (TNI-Polri), and community volunteers.
Regional Prevention and Public Advisory
Local governments in the six priority zones—including governors, regents, and mayors—have been instructed by the BNPB to bolster early detection systems and verify that local firefighting equipment is fully operational. Authorities have urged residents to avoid open burning practices in high-risk areas and to report any spotted fires immediately to local authorities to ensure rapid containment.