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The escalating crisis prompted President Prabowo Subianto to order additional troops and equipment to Kalimantan to contain the blazes.
Government Response and Deployment in Kalimantan
Prabowo stated in Palangkaraya that the immediate priority is stopping the spread of fire hotspots. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi announced that the government approved additional resources, including water-bombing helicopters, water pumps, drilling equipment, fire engines, and water tankers. Furthermore, three military battalions from Java were scheduled to arrive by August 23, 2026, to reinforce personnel battling fires across West, Central, and South Kalimantan.
Environmental Impact and Regional Haze
The burned area has already surpassed totals recorded during the El Niño seasons of 2019 and 2023, though it remains below the devastation seen in 2015. Smoke from the fires drifted to neighboring Sarawak, where air quality reached unhealthy levels. Malaysia urged ASEAN countries on August 22, 2026, to step up measures against transboundary haze as air quality deteriorated in 11 areas across Sarawak and Melaka. Meanwhile, Singapore authorities announced they are monitoring fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra for potential haze impacts.
Corporate Investigations and Enforcement
Indonesian officials are stepping up legal enforcement against entities suspected of starting fires. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi stated that four companies in West Kalimantan are under investigation over possible links to the blazes, warning that their licenses will be revoked if violations are proven. President Prabowo emphasized that the government will take strict legal action against companies found to have deliberately started fires. Additionally, the administration called for a review of local regulations permitting land clearance through burning, offering to supply excavators to help communities clear land without fire.
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