Banjar, S. Kalimantan. Indonesia is mobilizing about 350 companies to help prevent forest and land fires across 10,000 hectares of farmland and peatland in South Kalimantan, as fires threaten large areas of Kalimantan and smoke hampers firefighting in parts of the island.

The Forestry Ministry recorded 793 fire hotspots nationwide as of Oct. 10, 2026, with Central Kalimantan accounting for 288 high-confidence hotspots the following day, according to its SiPongi fire-monitoring system. West Kalimantan recorded 44 and South Kalimantan 28.

The government is enlisting private companies to complement efforts by local administrations, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police and communities, particularly in harvested rice fields and vulnerable peatland areas, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said.

Hanif said cooperation among the government, businesses, communities, academics and the media was essential to tackling forest and land fires. He called for the approach used in South Kalimantan to be extended to other affected provinces.

“We hope that the success achieved in South Kalimantan can be replicated in Central Kalimantan, which is currently in a critical situation, as well as in South Sumatra, which is equally critical,” Hanif said.

In harvested fields and areas where crops have failed, authorities are deploying machinery to turn the soil under, with the work expected to be completed within a week. The measure is intended to prevent crop residues from accumulating and becoming fuel for fires.

Peatland management is focused on about 1,650 hectares, with personnel from the military, police and private sector involved. Authorities are also raising the water level of the Martapura River to support watering operations and reduce fire risks.

Equipment deployed includes 15 water tankers from Korem 101/Antasari, the regional military command, about 30 tankers from private companies and nearly 50 machines for turning agricultural soil.

The response comes as fire damage across Kalimantan continues to mount. Data compiled from government monitoring agencies indicate that more than 120,000 hectares have burned across the island.

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