Indonesia has intensified its efforts to address an increasing number of wildfires nationwide, deploying 43 helicopters along with hundreds of firefighters and disaster management personnel. This action comes as fires spread through a renowned national park in East Java and peatlands in Sumatra during an exceptionally dry season, as reported by government officials on Monday.

According to Djamari Chaniago, the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, more than 107,000 hectares of forests and various land types have been consumed by flames across the Southeast Asian nation. The minister indicated that the situation might deteriorate further as the El Nino phenomenon gains strength amid the peak of the dry season.

The largest fire has been recorded in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, where approximately 743 hectares have been devastated. As a precaution, authorities have temporarily closed the park to visitors. Reports indicate that the fire has engulfed dry grasslands, local vegetation, and the protected edelweiss flowers, extending to the Penanjakan area, which is a popular viewpoint for tourists wishing to view Mount Bromo.

Weather Conditions Impeding Firefighting Efforts

Chaniago mentioned that cloud-seeding has been evaluated as a significant tool to assist firefighters in triggering rainfall by dispersing salt particles into suitable clouds. Unfortunately, he stated that scientific observations had not identified any rain-bearing clouds suitable for weather-modification operations as of August 18. This lack of favourable weather is complicating firefighting efforts.

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, during a visit to Mount Bromo on Sunday, indicated that, with cloud-seeding currently unfeasible due to adverse weather, the team is left depending entirely on water bombing and the efforts of ground firefighting teams. He also urged the public to refrain from actions that might cause new fires, such as discarding cigarette butts and land clearing through burning.

In a separate incident, over 50 hectares of peatland have been reported to be ablaze in Jambi province on Sumatra island, leading to dense haze in certain areas and raising concerns regarding air quality. The most significant fire is situated in Sungai Gelam village within the Muaro Jambi district, where many hectares of palm oil plantations belonging to local residents have reportedly been destroyed. This blaze has been ongoing since last Wednesday.

Impact on Neighbouring Regions and Future Risks

Approximately 300 firefighters and disaster personnel have been mobilised to Jambi to tackle the blaze, yet operations have been hampered by the challenges posed by deep peat soil, limited access to water, difficult terrain, and strong winds, even with the assistance of three helicopters involved in aerial firefighting.

Forest and peat fires in Indonesia are a recurring issue, frequently impacting nearby nations. Malaysia has observed unhealthy air quality in several areas, specifically in Sarawak, attributing the smoke to winds carrying it from active hotspots. Similarly, authorities in Singapore warned that prevailing south-easterly winds could transport smoke towards the city-state as dry conditions persist.

Chaniago emphasised the urgency of controlling the fires, stating, “We must uphold the nation’s credibility by demonstrating our ability to manage these fires effectively.” Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency has indicated that August and September are anticipated to be the most critical months for fire outbreaks, as drought conditions and strong winds facilitate the rapid spread of fires. Notably, many wildfires in Indonesia are reportedly initiated illegally by plantation owners or traditional farmers clearing lands for agricultural activities.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share