Jakarta (The Indonesian News) – Aerial operations to combat forest and land fires through water bombing are again planned across several regions of Sumatra and Kalimantan on Friday, September 18, 2026.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BNPB) aerial operations plan, helicopters will be deployed to a number of fire hotspots and fire-prone areas, with execution depending on visibility conditions on the ground.
In West Kalimantan, aerial operations are planned in several areas of Ketapang, Kayong Utara, Kubu Raya, Melawi and Sintang regencies.
A Sikorsky EH-60A helicopter with registration N61AA is scheduled to conduct water bombing in Pematang Gadung village, Matan Hilir Selatan district, Ketapang regency. In the same area, a SUPER PUMA H225 helicopter with registration VH-HGM is being directed to Laman Satong village, Matan Hilir Utara district.
In Kayong Utara regency, three locations are targeted in the operation plan. A SIKORSKY UH-60L helicopter with registration VH-L6T is scheduled to conduct aerial water drops in Sejahtera village, Sukadana district. An MI-172 helicopter with registration VN-8424 is being directed to Satai Lestari village, Pulau Maya Karimata district, while an MI-17-1V helicopter with registration VN-8416 is planned to operate in the Gunung Palung National Park area, Simpang Hilir district.
Operations are also planned using a NAS-332 Super Puma helicopter with registration H-3217 in Batu Ampar district, Kubu Raya regency. Two other locations are in Melawi and Sintang regencies: Sepan Tonak village, Nanga Belimbing district, served by a Bell 412 EPI HA-5231, and Rawa Mambok village, Sintang district, targeted by a Bell 412 EPI HA-5228.
Moving to Central Kalimantan, two areas in Pulang Pisau regency are included in the operation plan. A Puma N-814AR helicopter is scheduled to conduct water bombing in Kahayan Kuala district. Meanwhile, a Kamov 32A helicopter with registration UR-CSM is planned to operate in Sebangau Kuala district, with Sabangau district in Palangka Raya city as an alternative location.
In South Kalimantan, aerial operations are planned to focus around Syamsudin Noor Airport. A helicopter N137WZ is being directed to a fire spot (FS) in ring 1 of the airport. A helicopter N261BE is also planned to target an FS point near Samli Hospital, still in ring 1 of the airport, at coordinates 3°23’16″S, 114°43’27″E. Meanwhile, a helicopter RA22834 is on standby, awaiting information on FS points from ground patrol teams and the morning patrol helicopter.
In Riau, four helicopters are planned to conduct aerial operations in Indragiri Hulu and Kampar regencies. A Sikorsky S-61A N5193Y is being directed along the Rengat Selatan (Rsn)–Batang Cenaku route in Indragiri Hulu. A Sikorsky UH-60L N4875A and an MI-8AMT RA-22729 are both planned to operate on the Rsn–Kuala Cenaku route in Indragiri Hulu regency. Meanwhile, a Mi-8T SBM1 with registration RDPL-34194 is being directed to the Rsn–Sungai Serai route in Kampar Kiri, Kampar regency.
In South Sumatra, at least five locations are included in the water bombing plan. A helicopter VH-UHG is being directed to Pangkalan Lampam, Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), in Sector 1, at coordinates 03°14’58″S 105°05’14″E. A helicopter RA 22747 is planned to target Sungai Menang, OKI, Sector 1, at coordinates 03°43’42″S 105°26’36″E.
Still in the same province, a helicopter N360 UH is planned to conduct water bombing in Rantau Bayur, Banyuasin, Sector 3, at coordinates 03°4’23″S 104°27’15″E. A helicopter RA-22279 is being directed to Gelumbang, Muara Enim, Sector 3, at coordinates 03°7’43″S 104°25’02″E. A helicopter VH-BHL is planned to operate in Tulung Selapan, OKI, Sector 1, at coordinates 03°8’21″S 105°21’11″E.
In Jambi, aerial operations are planned to target the Berbak Sembilang National Park area in Kumpeh district, Muaro Jambi regency, as well as the Sadu area in Sadu district, Tanjung Jabung Timur regency. Both locations are in the operation plan for a Mi-17 1V helicopter with registration VN 8414.
A Sikorsky UH60A N-274TH helicopter is planned to conduct water bombing in Teluk Dawan, Muaro Sabak Barat district, Tanjung Jabung Timur regency.
Overall, the BNPB report records plans to deploy a number of helicopters for aerial operations across six provinces: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau, South Sumatra and Jambi. Targets are spread from forest and land areas to villages and fire spots around strategic facilities.
BNPB stressed that the execution of these aerial operations remains dependent on field conditions, particularly visibility. The locations and routes listed in the report are therefore the operation plan for September 18, 2026, and their execution may be adjusted to the evolving fire situation and flight conditions in each region.
Source: Press Release, Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom)
