President Prabowo Subianto is closely overseeing the nation’s response to worsening forest and land fires, according to Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. Speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, Antoni highlighted the president’s leadership in addressing the crisis, which has seen a gradual decline in hotspot numbers across multiple regions. The government has intensified its efforts to curb the blazes, with the president chairing meetings and visiting affected areas in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Antoni expressed gratitude for the president’s decisiveness, noting that his guidance has spurred stronger action against the fires. The reduction in hotspots appears to stem from a mix of increased firefighting efforts and a decrease in community-led land-clearing activities. In Riau, there were zero hotspots recorded on August 30 and 31, while Central and West Kalimantan also saw recent improvements. Antoni acknowledged these positive developments, calling them a result of sustained efforts over the past month. However, he warned that the situation remains fragile and urged officials not to grow complacent. “The improvement should not lead us to become complacent,” he stated, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. Looking ahead, the government plans to ramp up weather modification operations in six key provinces, Riau, South Sumatra, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan, once favorable conditions for cloud seeding emerge. These operations aim to increase moisture levels in the soil and maintain groundwater reserves, thereby reducing the risk of future wildfires. Antoni noted that September is expected to be the peak of the El Niño phenomenon, making it a critical time for combating the fires. “September is expected to mark the peak of El Niño and the next critical period for tackling forest and land fires,” he said. As part of its intensified response, the Forestry Ministry has declared September a “battleground” in the national effort to contain the blazes. This designation comes amid forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) suggesting that natural rainfall may not return until early October. To counter this delay, the ministry is relying heavily on artificial rainfall techniques, known as cloud seeding, which remain highly effective under suitable atmospheric conditions. Additionally, the ministry is deploying around 1,000 extra personnel to bolster ground operations and manage logistical challenges faced by frontline workers. Fire data released by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) shows that nearly 286,000 hectares of land have burned nationwide since January 2026. In six priority provinces, over 48,889 hectares have been scorched, with the SIPONGI system detecting more than 1,200 active hotspots at peak levels across Kalimantan and Sumatra. The fires have been fueled by a protracted El Niño-driven drought and illegal slash-and-burn practices used for land clearing. Despite recent progress, the scale of destruction underscores the urgency of the current response. The government has also mobilized significant resources to combat the crisis, including the deployment of 583 military personnel and 53 aircraft for firefighting missions. These measures reflect the growing recognition of the threat posed by transboundary haze and the potential impact on public health and regional stability. As the country prepares for the challenging months ahead, the focus remains on maintaining momentum in fire suppression efforts and ensuring that the gains made so far are not reversed.
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