Antara News·Indonesia·Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 11:51 AM

Japan sends Chinook helicopter to help Indonesia fight forest fires

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Pontianak (ANTARA) - The Japanese government, through the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has strengthened Indonesia's efforts to tackle forest and land fires in Ketapang District, West Kalimantan, by deploying a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

"This support is part of Japan's humanitarian mission to assist Indonesia in dealing with widespread forest and land fires in several areas of West Kalimantan, particularly Ketapang," Deputy III for Emergency Response at the National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) Budi Irawan said at Supadio Air Force Base on Wednesday.

Irawan expressed his appreciation to the Japanese government for supporting Indonesia's firefighting operations for nearly two weeks.

"On behalf of the Indonesian Government, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Japanese government, which for nearly two weeks has worked alongside the Indonesian government to help extinguish forest and land fires in West Kalimantan," he said.

Irawan said Ketapang was a priority for firefighting efforts as the area had experienced a prolonged period without rainfall, triggering the spread of hotspots. The BNPB has deployed water-bombing helicopters and conducted aerial patrols to reach fire-affected areas, while support from the JSDF's CH-47 Chinook has strengthened aerial firefighting capabilities in areas that are difficult to access by land.

A JSDF representative said Japanese personnel were proud to carry out the humanitarian mission while working alongside the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to tackle forest and land fires in West Kalimantan.

"We are very happy to assist and work together with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in carrying out a humanitarian mission to extinguish forest and land fires in Ketapang by deploying a CH-47 Chinook water-bombing helicopter," he said.

Meanwhile, Irawan said efforts to tackle forest and land fires did not rely solely on aerial operations. The BNPB, together with the TNI, Polri, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni fire brigade, and Fire Care Communities (MPA), has also strengthened an integrated ground task force to control fires at the site.

The cooperation is part of efforts to accelerate firefighting operations and prevent fires from spreading further in areas affected by drought and difficult terrain.

Before departing for Ketapang, Irawan and his delegation held a meeting with Supadio Air Force Base Commander Air Vice Marshal Sidik Setiyono and JSDF representatives in the VIP Room of Supadio Air Force Base.

Following the meeting, the BNPB delegation traveled to Ketapang via Rasau Jaya Pier in Kubu Raya District to directly assess the latest developments in efforts to tackle the forest and land fires.

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