Kathmandu— The Indonesian government is bolstering its firefighting efforts on the island of Borneo by deploying an additional 1,500 soldiers and six helicopters to combat widespread wildfires that have scorched at least 200,000 hectares of land. The fires, exacerbated by dry conditions linked to the El Nino weather pattern, are creating thick smog impacting communities across Kalimantan and extending into neighboring Malaysia. President Prabowo Subianto ordered the increased troop deployment during a visit to the Central Kalimantan provincial capital of Palangkaraya on Saturday, emphasizing the need to contain the blaze’s spread. The government is closely monitoring the situation and mobilizing resources in response to the escalating crisis.

Escalating Wildfire Crisis

Fires have burned through over 200,000 hectares of land across Borneo between January and July, an area three times the size of Jakarta. The current scale of destruction already surpasses that seen during previous El Nino events in both 2019 and 2023, though it remains smaller than the extensive fires experienced in 2015. Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo shared with Brunei and Malaysia, is particularly affected by the blazes, which are fueled by a strong El Nino weather pattern bringing drought conditions to the region.

Government Response and Deployment

President Prabowo Subianto directed the deployment of three additional battalions – approximately 1,500 personnel – from outside Kalimantan. Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya announced that these troops would begin arriving on Sunday. In addition to ground forces, six helicopters are being dispatched to support waterbombing operations aimed at suppressing the fires and preventing further spread. Prabowo told reporters in Palangkaraya, “We’re taking mitigation measures. The important thing is to immediately stop the spread of fire spots.”

Regional Impact and Air Quality

The smog generated by the wildfires has prompted local governments in Borneo to advise residents to wear masks and limit outdoor activities. The smoke has also drifted across borders, impacting air quality in Malaysian Borneo, with six areas of Sarawak state recording “unhealthy” levels. The affected region is home to both pristine rainforests and extensive plantations, making the fires particularly damaging to biodiversity and local livelihoods.

The Indonesian government continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate efforts to contain the wildfires, as El Nino conditions are expected to persist and potentially exacerbate the risk of further outbreaks.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.