Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Air Force will continue efforts to combat forest and land fires despite operational challenges, including bad weather, limited daylight, and dwindling water supplies, its information chief said.
Air Force Information Chief Air Commodore Feri Yunaldi was responding to questions from ANTARA on Thursday about the challenges facing pilots and ground personnel fighting the fires.
The Air Force is maximizing its aerial support through equipment readiness, personnel deployment, careful operational planning, and coordination with relevant agencies, Feri said in a phone interview.
One challenge is the limited time available to extinguish fires, as helicopter water-bombing operations cannot be conducted at night, he said.
Aerial firefighting is not possible after dark, forcing crews to schedule operations around conditions that ensure flight safety, Feri said.
Weather also poses difficulties, particularly during water-bombing missions and weather-modification operations, he said.
Rain and thick smoke can reduce visibility, preventing pilots from reaching fire sites, he said.
Cloud-seeding operations depend on suitable clouds, so weather analysis and cloud-development forecasts determine when and where missions can take place, Feri said.
Crews also struggle to find water sources for firefighting, he said.
During the dry season, some water sources dwindle or dry up, he said.
Feri said these obstacles had not dampened personnel’s commitment to their duties.
The Air Force has deployed 11 transport aircraft and five helicopters to fire-affected areas, he said.
Personnel from nearby air bases have also been mobilized to fight fires manually on the ground.
The Air Force will continue its efforts until all hotspots in the affected areas are extinguished, he said.
Related news: Indonesia says haze, gas issues will not derail Singapore investment
Related news: BNPB keeps personnel, equipment on standby to tackle new hotspots
Related news: BNPB urges forest, land fire prevention down to village level
Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2026