Indonesia ramps up fight against Kalimantan fires

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered more troops, helicopters and firefighting equipment to Kalimantan as the government moves to contain worsening forest and land fires, with four companies now under investigation over fires in West Kalimantan.



Prabowo travelled to West and Central Kalimantan on Aug 22 to inspect firefighting operations and lead coordination meetings, as the authorities deployed more personnel and equipment to battle the fires that have intensified in recent weeks.



Speaking to reporters in the Central Kalimantan provincial capital, Prabowo said the priority was to prevent the fires from spreading further.



He added that officials were reporting their needs to the government, which was working to provide more helicopters, equipment and machines to drill wells for water.