TNI mobilizes 14,167 soldiers to support firefighting operations

Jakarta (ANTARA) -

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has deployed 14,167 personnel to battle forest and land fires across the country.

The TNI Information Office noted in a press release cited here on Friday that firefighting operations remain underway.

“Our measures include firefighting, patrols, surveillance, prevention, and efforts to address wildfire impacts in accordance with conditions and situations in each region,” the release read.

The soldiers have been working hand in hand with personnel from various institutions, including the National Police (Polri), the Forestry Ministry’s firefighting units, regional governments, and regional disaster mitigation agencies.

Moreover, the TNI has readied its regional units nationwide to provide full support for ongoing firefighting operations.

“We are making personnel and equipment preparations, monitoring regions, conducting patrols, and coordinating with relevant institutions to ensure that the TNI can swiftly mobilize its resources whenever assistance is needed to combat wildfires,” the military stated.

The force vowed that its personnel would continue to actively participate in firefighting efforts to support recovery in affected areas, expressing confidence that nationwide mobilization would enable optimal operations.

Widespread hotspots

As Indonesia faces mounting wildfire risks during the dry season, multiple state institutions, including the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), have deployed dozens of helicopters and aircraft to support rapid firefighting operations.

The government has also identified six vulnerable provinces as priorities for firefighting operations: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago said at a press conference in Jakarta on Aug. 10 that the six provinces are characterized by extensive peatlands, which become highly combustible during dry conditions.

Their vulnerability has been exacerbated by the impacts of this year's El Niño phenomenon, he added.

Apart from those six provinces, Indonesia has also been battling wildfires on Mount Bromo in East Java, Mount Pangrango in West Java, and Mount Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara.

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