President Prabowo Strengthens Forest, Land Fire Control in Central Kalimantan, from Firefighting to Prevention
President Prabowo Subianto has assured that the Government will continue to strengthen efforts to address forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan. Mitigation measures are being intensified to curb the spread of fires while preventing new hotspots from emerging.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, in a written statement on Saturday (08/22), said that President Prabowo received reports on the situation and the needs for handling the forest and land fires while chairing a meeting at the Forward Command Post for Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Response, in Palangka Raya.
“At the meeting at the Forward Command Post for Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Response in Palangka Raya, the President received reports on the needs in the field and ensured that government support would continue to be strengthened,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
To strengthen firefighting operations, the Government will deploy four additional water-bombing helicopters on Sunday (08/23). In addition, support in the form of firefighting vehicles and facilities to ensure water availability at fire sites will continue to be increased.
“Four water-bombing helicopters will be deployed tomorrow to strengthen firefighting operations,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
“Fire trucks are being prepared to support firefighting efforts in the field. The provision of pumps, water pipes, and water-drilling equipment is also being stepped up to strengthen the water supply for firefighting operations,” he added.
In addition to addressing existing hotspots, the Government is also prioritizing preventive measures as an important part of forest and land fire control. Preparedness among all personnel and agencies in the field continues to be strengthened to prevent fires from spreading and new hotspots from emerging.
According to data from the Ministry of Forestry, the area affected by forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan from January 1 to August 1, 2026, totaled 7,634.46 hectares. This figure is lower than the areas affected by fires in several previous years, in line with the strengthened preparedness and mitigation measures implemented by the Government.
“This figure is lower than the areas affected by forest and land fires in several previous years, thanks to continuously strengthened preparedness,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
President Prabowo is optimistic that the forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan can be brought under control soon. The Government will continue to strengthen response efforts in the field while ensuring that legal action is taken against parties proven to have deliberately caused the fires.
“The President is optimistic that the forest and land fires can soon be brought under control. The Government will continue to strengthen response efforts in the field while taking legal action against any parties found to have deliberately caused the fires,” the Cabinet Secretary said. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (AY/TM)
