Prabowo to oversee wildfire response in Sumatra after Kalimantan

hartono · Aug 24, 2026

Prabowo to oversee wildfire response in Sumatra after Kalimantan

President Prabowo Subianto visits a wildfire site in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, on Saturday (Aug. 22, 2026). ANTARA/HO-BPMI Sekretariat Presiden/aa.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inspect wildfire response operations in Sumatra after visiting fire-affected areas in West and Central Kalimantan, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said.

The visit reflects Prabowo’s commitment to ensuring the government protects communities affected by wildfires and haze, Hadi said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday.

Prabowo will begin his Sumatra trip in Riau to ensure fire containment efforts are swift, coordinated and effective, Hadi said.

Regarding hotspots in Kalimantan, Hadi said Prabowo had ensured wildfire response efforts were maximized after chairing coordination meetings in Kubu Raya and Palangka Raya.

Prabowo has ordered intensified firefighting efforts, including additional water-bombing aircraft, more personnel from various agencies and health facilities for affected residents, Hadi said.

He also pledged full support for law enforcement as authorities investigate several corporations suspected of causing wildfires by burning land, Hadi said.

“The focus of responses will now be expanded to Sumatra, particularly Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra Provinces,” Hadi said.

Forestry Ministry data showed 2,894 hotspots covering an estimated 36,000 hectares across 10 Sumatran provinces, with the most in South Sumatra, Riau and Jambi.

South Sumatra recorded 1,410 hotspots, followed by Riau with 480 and Jambi with 425, according to the ministry data cited by Hadi.

The government is deploying all available measures, including ground firefighting, aerial operations and weather modification, while protecting communities from haze and preventing new hotspots.

Hadi said authorities were also repeatedly rewetting highly combustible areas, particularly peatlands, to reduce fire risks and protect communities from worsening haze.