Indonesia uses 4.6 million liters of water to fight wildfires

hartono · Aug 27, 2026

Indonesia uses 4.6 million liters of water to fight wildfires

A helicopter conducts water bombing to extinguish a peatland fire after Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat inspected firefighting efforts in Rimbo Panjang Village, Tambang Subdistrict, Kampar District, Riau, on Saturday (Aug. 22, 2026). ANTARA FOTO/Rony Muharrman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A total of 4.6 million liters of water have been used in aerial firefighting operations against wildfires across six priority provinces, but efforts remain hampered by difficult terrain, shrinking water supplies, and weather conditions, according to Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency BNPB.

The provinces are West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, and Riau, said Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB's) Data, Information and Disaster Communications Center.

“Peatland fires are difficult to tackle because burning peat requires large amounts of water, while water sources are shrinking and far from some fire sites,” he said here Wednesday.

Weather and climate conditions are also complicating aerial operations, while limited visibility is hindering firefighting efforts, Berton said.

“We continue our efforts despite water shortages, including drilling wells and opening canals to channel water toward nearby fire hotspots,” he said.

He said the provinces had recorded 2,610 hotspots in West Kalimantan, 2,110 in Central Kalimantan, 817 in South Kalimantan, 1,438 in South Sumatra, 225 in Riau, and 134 in Jambi.

Authorities are using two methods to tackle the fires: ground and aerial operations, with ground operations remaining the primary approach.

“In West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan, crews conduct ground checks, firefighting, and cooling operations at all locations,” he said.

Authorities are also conducting weather modification operations to encourage rainfall.

“Since yesterday, rain has fallen in several districts in West Kalimantan as a result of weather modification operations,” Berton said.

He urged residents affected by the East Nusa Tenggara earthquake and forest and land fires to remain vigilant and follow instructions from authorities.

“Follow instructions from government officials and personnel at the scene. Do not burn land or litter, and never discard cigarette butts carelessly,” he said.