Indonesia still fighting over 22,500-ha fires with central Kalimantan worst hit

Jakarta, October 24 - Indonesia continues firefighting operations across roughly 22,595 hectares of forest and land, with Central Kalimantan bearing the brunt of the affected area. As of October 22, the response area encompassed 21,404 hectares in six priority provinces across Sumatra and Kalimantan, along with an additional 1,243.70 hectares in other locations, including Java, Sulawesi, and Maluku.

In Kalimantan, approximately 18,973 hectares remain under response, with Central Kalimantan accounting for about 16,097 hectares, South Kalimantan for 1,506 hectares, and West Kalimantan for 1,370 hectares. Meanwhile, in Sumatra, about 2,431 hectares are still under response, with South Sumatra contributing 2,050 hectares, Jambi 379 hectares, and Riau 2 hectares.

Berton Panjaitan, acting head of data, information, and disaster communication centre at the National Disaster Management Agency, disclosed that 71,878 personnel and 54 helicopters were deployed to bolster firefighting efforts in the six priority provinces, spanning South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, and Kalimantan. Indonesia is currently evaluating international assistance, including advanced equipment and technology unavailable domestically, and is open to offers from other nations, as reported by state news agency Antara on Thursday.

The Indonesian police have recorded 386 cases of forest and land fires, with 22 of these linked to 386 corporations involved in foreign investments. National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto stated that the cases included 286 involving individuals and 100 involving corporations, naming 243 individuals and 13 corporations as suspects. The police have recommended permit revocations in 23 corporate cases.