Indonesia deploys cloud seeding to combat forest fires on Borneo and Sumatra

The extensive damage illustrates the scale of the crisis. Damage to forests can affect habitats, species and local livelihoods. At the same time, the long-burning flames and their spread across several islands make containment difficult.

Through cloud seeding, Indonesia aims to increase natural precipitation in the affected areas. BMKG and the Ministry of Forestry are pooling weather and forestry measures for this purpose, while firefighting teams remain deployed.

Rain as a firefighting tool

The benefits of targeted cloud seeding depend on local weather conditions. Success is particularly possible when suitable clouds form over the relevant catchment area and contain sufficient moisture.

In addition to immediate firefighting attempts, addressing the underlying causes is crucial. The available information does not identify specific causes or results from the cloud seeding. Firefighter deployments and the spread of the fires remain decisive for the situation’s further development.

Continued firefighter operations

The initiative shows that Indonesian authorities are deploying additional resources to combat the fires. It forms part of a broader approach that links forest protection, weather forecasting and coordinated emergency assistance.

The deployment on Borneo and Sumatra underscores the geographic reach of the forest fires. Although individual rain clouds can provide local assistance, the available facts do not indicate how large or lasting the effect of the announced measure will be.

The independent estimate of approximately 1.9 million hectares affected by fires provides, for the first time, a nationwide quantitative scale for the January-to-September 2026 period. An official tally following the end of the vegetation and dry season is not included in the verified information.