Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, October 19, 2026 at 02:38 AM UTC

Indonesia steps up water bombing effort to combat Tanjung Puting fires

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Arnidhya Nur Z, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the forest and land fire extinguishing operations are being intensified through water bombing at the Tanjung Puting National Park area in Central Kalimantan.

In a statement received here on Sunday (Oct 18), Antoni mentioned 26 water bombing operations had been carried out in the Perlu River and Rengas Bay areas of Tanjung Puting.

"We conducted 16 water bombing operations in Tanjung Puting yesterday and today, 26," Antoni said.

He also noted six water-bombing helicopters were available in Central Kalimantan, but had yet to operate due to limited visibility at Tjilik Riwut Airport.

In Kuala Pembuang, Seruyan, visibility conditions are more favorable, allowing a water-bombing helicopter operated by private company Sinar Mas to be deployed from the area following coordination.

In addition, air operations were further strengthened with the arrival of Indonesian Air Force water bombing helicopters and the ministry's helicopters in Kuala Pembuang from Syamsudin Noor Airport, Banjarmasin.

"We continue to make every effort, including strengthening ground forces," Antoni added.

Meanwhile, Director of Area Conservation at the ministry, Sapto Aji Prabowo, conveyed firefighting operation in Pesalat and Teluk Pulai areas were maximized by land effort, supported by sufficient supply pumps, floating pumps, portable pumps, mini-strikes, and hoses.

"At the Pesalat and Teluk Pulai areas, a joint ground team consisting of the Tanjung Puting National Park, Manggala Agni, the Forestry Ministry, the military, the police, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), and volunteers, continues to maximize firefighting efforts using river water and drilled wells," Aji Prabowo said.

Earlier, Indonesian

President Prabowo Subianto ordered firefighting efforts to prioritize Tanjung Puting National Park, followed by other areas in the province and South Sumatra affected by forest and land fires.

The fire in Tanjung Puting National Park received special attention from the president, considering the national park serves as the largest conservation and rehabilitation center for orangutans in the world.

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