Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) – An Indonesian air task force has deployed eight aircraft to combat surging forest and land fires across West Kalimantan using air patrols, water bombing, and cloud seeding operations, authorities confirmed Saturday.
Air Commodore Sidik Setyono, commander of the Supadio Air Force Base, stated Saturday that six aircraft are stationed at the base for air patrols and water bombing, while two others were relocated to Ketapang district to target high concentrations of hotspots.
Setyono noted that Ketapang, Kubu Raya, and Mempawah currently register the highest hotspot counts in the province.
To support cloud seeding, seeding materials have been stockpiled in warehouses for immediate deployment to induce rainfall in critical areas.
Water bombing is being used as a targeted resort; on Friday, responders deployed a Sikorsky UH-60L helicopter to suppress a blaze in Mekar Sari village, Kubu Raya district.
The provincial government continues to coordinate ground and air operations in high-risk zones.
Ridwan, acting head of the West Kalimantan Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), stated that high-category hotspots across 12 districts dropped from 521 on Aug. 19 to 224 on Aug. 20 following joint suppression efforts.
Translator: Rendra, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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