Indonesia bolsters troop numbers to combat Borneo wildfires

The Indonesian government is dispatching an additional 1,500 soldiers to Borneo to assist in combating wildfires that have ravaged large portions of the island, creating dense smog and severely impacting air quality in certain regions. This year, the fires have consumed a minimum of 200,000 hectares of land – an area three times the size of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta.

The dry conditions are a direct result of a strong El Nino weather pattern, which has taken hold, leading to prolonged droughts. President Prabowo Subianto, during a visit to the region, issued an order for the increased troop deployment, according to Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. "An additional three Indonesia National Armed Forces battalions, or around 1,500 personnel, will be brought in from outside Kalimantan starting today," Teddy stated.

Kalimantan, which constitutes Indonesia's portion of Borneo and shares the landmass with Brunei and Malaysia, will receive the reinforcements. Six helicopters are also being dispatched to augment waterbombing efforts. The government is closely monitoring the situation and mobilizing resources to contain the fire spread, as directed by President Prabowo during a press conference in Central Kalimantan's provincial capital of Palangkaraya.

"We're taking mitigation measures. The important thing is to immediately stop the spread of fire spots," the president emphasized. The smog from the fires has prompted local governments in Borneo, a region known for its pristine rainforests and extensive plantations, to advise residents to wear masks and remain indoors. The smoke from the fires has permeated Malaysian Borneo, with six areas in Sarawak state recording "unhealthy" air quality.

The extent of the burned area surpasses previous El Nino seasons in 2019 and 2023, although it remains smaller than the 2015 El Nino event, which was particularly intense. El Nino, a naturally occurring climate phenomenon, triggers global shifts in winds, air pressure, and rainfall patterns, often resulting in drought conditions in Indonesia.