Australia Sends Aircraft to Support Indonesia’s Fight Against Worst Wildfires in 11 Years

Australia is deploying firefighting aircraft to assist Indonesia in tackling widespread wildfires that have been burning for months, as the country battles its most severe fire season in 11 years.

Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said Thursday that Australia’s New South Wales Rural Fire Service had dispatched a C-130 Hercules aircraft and a Cessna Citation to support waterbombing operations.

The aircraft are expected to participate in firefighting missions from November 6 to 12.

The assistance comes days after a helicopter crashed during a firefighting operation in Central Kalimantan on Borneo island, killing one crew member and injuring five others.

Indonesia has been struggling to contain extensive wildfires, with large areas of land affected across the islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Papua.

The fires and resulting haze have also created a serious public health concern. Health Ministry data showed that more than 400,000 cases of acute respiratory infections had been reported across seven provinces.

Australia provides major aerial firefighting support

BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi said Indonesia was continuing extensive efforts to contain the fires through waterbombing missions, cloud seeding and assistance from international partners.

Australian Ambassador Roderick Bruce Brazier said the support included a Large Air Tanker capable of releasing up to 15,000 litres of water during each sortie.

The aircraft is estimated to be capable of conducting up to six sorties daily, significantly strengthening Indonesia’s aerial firefighting capacity.

Helicopter crash kills one during firefighting mission

The Australian assistance follows a fatal helicopter accident on Wednesday in Central Kalimantan, on the Indonesian portion of Borneo.

According to a military statement, the helicopter crashed while participating in a waterbombing operation. One crew member was killed, while five others sustained injuries.

The military added that two remaining personnel had yet to be evacuated following the accident.

The deployment of Australian aircraft is expected to bolster Indonesia’s efforts to contain the fires, reduce the impact of hazardous smoke and protect communities facing prolonged exposure to dangerous air pollution.