> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.southeastasiaconnect.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # BNPB expands Central Kalimantan wildfire-response operations ahead of El Nino peak - URL: https://www.southeastasiaconnect.com/bnpb-steps-up-coordinated-wildfire-response-in-central-kalimantan/ - Published: 2026-08-01T11:09:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T02:42:47.000Z - Description: Indonesia’s disaster agency is adding aircraft-backed weather modification and field coordination as Central Kalimantan becomes a priority test of climate-resilience operations. - Author: Southeast Asia Connect Editors - Tags: #sea-section-news, #sea-source-6265ffc1fff6b5c6109b77d2 Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, BNPB, said it is intensifying cross-agency coordination to deliver a more comprehensive response to forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan Province. BNPB Head Suharyanto said the push for stronger synergy is meant to prevent the fires from spreading further after they scorched thousands of hectares in the province. The agency described Central Kalimantan as a major emergency-response priority because much of its terrain is peatland, which is highly vulnerable to burning. According to the latest data cited by BNPB, the burned area in Central Kalimantan has reached 3,069.52 hectares. Suharyanto said swift handling of the wildfires follows a direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto, who called on ministries, agencies, the Indonesian National Army, the National Police, and regional governments to act in unison. Suharyanto said BNPB, as the agency mandated to lead operations during emergency response and preparedness states, is going directly into the field to ensure optimal wildfire handling in Central Kalimantan. [ANTARA News Agency](https://en.antaranews.com/news/424812/bnpb-ensures-coordinated-action-for-central-kalimantan-wildfires?ref=southeastasiaconnect.com) The accelerated measures are also intended to reduce the possible effects of the peak of the El Nino phenomenon, which the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency forecasts will occur between August and September 2026\. In response to a potential increase in hot spots, Suharyanto stressed the importance of maximizing joint operations by both land and air task forces. BNPB said weather modification operations will also be strengthened with additional aircraft to optimize rainmaking efforts. Current air-task-force support in Central Kalimantan consists of two patrol helicopters, three water-bombing helicopters, and one caravan aircraft assigned to weather modification. Suharyanto added that existing potential for rain cloud growth in the region would be fully used before the dry season reaches its peak. BNPB also identified several fire-prone areas that have been prioritized for firefighting, including Tumbang Nusa in Pulang Pisau District and Kameloh Baru in Palangka Raya City. The business relevance is the response system being assembled: land crews, air task forces, weather modification, hotspot prioritisation and provincial emergency status. For companies exposed to plantations, logistics, insurance, tourism or regional supply chains, the follow-through to watch is whether those response assets reduce disruption as the dry-season risk rises. The operations are being carried out in line with the forest and land fire emergency alert status declared by the Central Kalimantan provincial government, which is in effect from May 26 to October 31, 2026\. The ANTARA report was published on July 31, 2026, and included a photo caption describing peatland burning in Kameloh Baru, Palangka Raya City, on July 29, 2026. ## Source note Read the official announcement for the underlying details. **Follow SEA Connect** Get new Southeast Asia innovation-economy signals through interest registration or RSS. [Register interest](https://www.southeastasiaconnect.com/newsletter/) [RSS](https://www.southeastasiaconnect.com/newsletter/#rss-feed)