Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) is intensifying weather modification operations (OMC) in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan to support efforts to control forest and land fires.
The operations are part of the government’s integrated response to increase land moisture, particularly in peatland ecosystems, support ground firefighting efforts, and reduce the risk of fires spreading and smoke affecting surrounding areas.
KLH/BPLH Director of Land Fire Control Dasrul Chaniago said weather modification plays a crucial role in supporting firefighting operations on the ground.
“Weather Modification Operations are an important intervention in addressing forest and land fires, particularly in helping to wet peatlands and support firefighting teams in the field. However, OMC cannot operate as a standalone measure. It must be implemented alongside patrols, hotspot verification, ground firefighting, peatland wetting, water management, community involvement, business monitoring, and law enforcement,” Dasrul said.
In West Kalimantan, weather modification operations were conducted from August 28 to September 4, 2026. During the period, 10 flight sorties were carried out using a total of 8,000 kilograms of sodium chloride (NaCl) cloud-seeding material.
In Central Kalimantan, OMC operations were conducted from August 26 to September 5, 2026. As of September 4, nine flight sorties had been completed using 7,200 kilograms of NaCl.
Each flight was conducted based on atmospheric conditions, the development of potential rain clouds, wind direction and speed, hotspot distribution, and the need to increase moisture in fire-prone areas.
The approach is intended to ensure that cloud seeding is directed toward areas where it can provide the greatest operational benefit in reducing fire risks.
Rain was recorded in several targeted areas on September 4. In West Kalimantan, rainfall occurred in Putussibau, Kubu Raya Regency, and Pontianak. In Central Kalimantan, rainfall was recorded in West Kotawaringin Regency.
The rainfall is expected to increase soil moisture, support the cooling of fire-affected areas, and reduce the risk of fires reigniting.
The operations have been supported by close coordination among multiple agencies, including KLH/BPLH, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian Air Force, regional governments, and other supporting institutions.
As a follow-up measure, OMC operations in West Kalimantan will continue with BNPB support from September 3 to 14, 2026, while continued operations in Central Kalimantan are being supported by the Ministry of Forestry.
KLH/BPLH and relevant agencies will continue to evaluate the operations regularly based on flight sortie data, cloud-seeding material usage, rainfall distribution, hotspot trends, air quality, and field monitoring.
Personnel and equipment will also remain on standby in areas considered highly vulnerable to forest and land fires.
“The operations will continue, and vigilance must not decline. Our main objectives are to prevent fires from spreading, protect public health, maintain air quality, and ensure that forest and land fire response remains rapid, integrated, and sustainable,” Dasrul said. (*)
