Indonesia has secured international assistance to combat a spring surge of forest and land fires in East Kalimantan, with Australia deploying a large air tanker and firefighting specialists for the period November 6‑12, 2026.
The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasures (BNPB) announced that Australia would provide a C‑130 Large Air Tanker, operated by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, together with a Cessna Citation scout aircraft. Two dozen Australian firefighting personnel are also scheduled to join Indonesian crews on the ground.
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Roderick Bruce Brazier explained the assistance during a press briefing at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport on Thursday, November 5. “This deployment of assistance is made possible due to the close cooperation between Australia and Indonesia, and we fully support the Indonesian government's efforts to address these fires,” he told reporters.
BNPB head Lieutenant General Kristomei Sianturi expressed gratitude for the aid, saying the gesture symbolised friendship between the two countries. “We are grateful for the assistance provided, and this is certainly a symbol of friendship between two countries. As President Prabowo Subianto said, good friends help each other in difficult times,” Sianturi said.
The support follows a joint technical assessment by Indonesian and Australian agencies. According to the analysis, East Kalimantan ranks second only to Central Kalimantan in terms of assistance requirements, underscoring the gravity of the fires that have affected vast tracts of forest, peatlands and agricultural land across the province.
The planned operation will involve aerial water drops from the C‑130 aircraft, coordinated with on‑ground crews that include local firefighters and environmental officials. The Cessna Citation will serve as a rapid response aircraft, providing reconnaissance and support for the larger tanker in cases where it is needed.
Environmental specialists from Australia will work alongside Indonesian teams to manage the spread of fire, preserve biodiversity, and reduce the carbon released by burning peat soils. The collaboration also aims to adopt best practices in fire suppression and to strengthen the capacity of Indonesian responders for future incidents.
Indonesia’s fire season has historically affected thousands of hectares of forest each year, with impacts on air quality, carbon emissions, and local livelihoods. The co‑operation builds on prior exchanges between the two governments, including joint emergency drills and information sharing regarding fire forecasting.
Officials noted that the arrival of the Australian aircraft occurs during a peak period when weather conditions, such as low humidity and high winds, exacerbate the intensity of fires. By deploying fire‑fighting aircraft ahead of the worst conditions, the partnership intends to limit the potential spill–over into urban and peri‑urban areas.
The operations will also involve monitoring the environmental damage and formulating post‑fire rehabilitation plans, with Australian scientists offering expertise on reforestation techniques and peatland restoration. These measures are intended to mitigate long‑term climate impacts and safeguard local ecosystems.
The combined air and ground team is expected to cover the most vulnerable zones first, as identified in satellite imagery and ground assessments. Throughout the deployment, Indonesian authorities will maintain daily briefings to track the effectiveness of interventions and adjust resources accordingly.
As the fires continue to threaten both natural landscapes and human settlements, the international support is a reminder of the necessity for cross‑border cooperation in dealing with climate‑driven disasters. It also signals broader commitments to tackle Indonesia’s most frequent environmental crises through shared expertise and resources.
