Published On 22 Aug 2026
The Indonesian government has deployed an additional 1,500 soldiers to Borneo to assist in containing wildfires that have devastated large areas of the island, exacerbating severe smog conditions in surrounding regions.
State fires during the current year have scorched a minimum of 200,000 hectares (495,000 acres) of land—equivalent to roughly three times the area of Jakarta—as intense dry spells influenced by the ongoing El Nino climate pattern persist.
During a regional visit on Saturday, President Prabowo Subianto approved the expansion of military support, ordering the reinforcement of the National Armed Forces with three additional battalions, as confirmed by Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
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Kalimantan, Indonesia’s portion of the island of Borneo, shares the territory with Brunei and Malaysia. Six helicopters have also been dispatched to enhance aerial water bombing efforts, according to Teddy.
The administration continues closely monitoring the crisis and coordinating emergency responses to prevent further fire advancement, President Prabowo stated during remarks in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province.
“We are implementing mitigation strategies. Our top priority is halting the spread of active fire incidents,” the president emphasized.
Smoke from the widespread blazes has compelled local authorities in Borneo—home to ancient rainforests and expansive agricultural zones—to recommend residents utilize face masks and remain indoors.
The fires have also transmitted smoky haze into Malaysian Borneo, with six districts in Sarawak state reporting air quality levels classified as “unhealthy.”
The currently burned area exceeds the figures recorded during previous El Nino-driven fire seasons in 2019 and 2023, though it remains below the catastrophic 2015 outbreak during a particularly intense El Nino event.
El Nino is a recurring oceanic climate pattern that triggers global disruptions in atmospheric circulation, air pressure, and precipitation. In Indonesia, it typically correlates with pronounced drought conditions. Scientists note that climate change may intensify its impacts, as elevated ocean and atmospheric temperatures provide additional energy and moisture to fuel extreme weather phenomena.
