Home / Environment / Borneo Wildfires Rage: 1,500 More Troops Deployed
Borneo Wildfires Rage: 1,500 More Troops Deployed
22 Aug
Summary
- 1,500 additional soldiers sent to Borneo to combat wildfires.
- Fires have scorched over 200,000 hectares due to El Nino.
- Six helicopters deployed for waterbombing operations.
Indonesia is significantly increasing its military presence in Borneo, sending an additional 1,500 soldiers to combat devastating wildfires. These fires have consumed at least 200,000 hectares of land, an area three times the size of Jakarta, under the influence of a strong El Nino weather pattern. This deployment follows President Prabowo Subianto's order during a visit to the region.
Six helicopters are also being dispatched to enhance waterbombing capabilities. The government is closely monitoring the situation and mobilizing resources to contain the spread of the fires. The smog generated by these blazes has led to advisories for residents in Borneo to wear masks and remain indoors, with smoke also affecting parts of Malaysian Borneo.
The current scale of the fires surpasses that of previous El Nino seasons in 2019 and 2023, though not as severe as in 2015. El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon, typically brings drought to Indonesia, and its effects can be amplified by climate change.
