Forest fires in Indonesia have started spreading near "Nusantara," the new capital city under construction on Borneo Island, burning about 2,500 rai. Authorities are rushing to conduct cloud seeding and water drops to extinguish the fires as quickly as possible.
The forest fire situation in Indonesia is becoming increasingly concerning as several fires on Borneo Island have spread close to Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital under construction. This has led the project authorities to call on disaster management agencies to intensify control measures, including cloud seeding and water-bombing flights to put out the fires.
Indonesia is ramping up efforts to tackle forest fires and haze in six provinces most severely affected on Borneo and Sumatra islands. So far, around 73,311 hectares—or over 458,000 rai—have been burned by the fires.
Previously, the eastern part of Borneo, where Nusantara is located, was relatively safe. Although forest fires grew more severe after the dry season began in July, recently the fires have spread into the vicinity of the new capital city.
Agus Riyanto, Director of Emergency Response at the disaster management agency, revealed that the Nusantara project authorities have requested additional measures to control the situation.
The most severe fire area within the new capital zone is Bukit Suharto Forest Park, or "Mount Suharto," named after former President Suharto. Approximately 300 hectares, or nearly 1,900 rai, have been burned there.
This area is about 50 kilometers from the heart of Nusantara. Including the surrounding area of the new capital, forest fires have burned roughly 400 hectares, or around 2,500 rai, as of 2 September.
Indonesia is experiencing its worst dry season in a decade.
Indonesia’s disaster response agencies are facing the most challenging dry season in about ten years. The severity has been exacerbated by a strong El Niño event, known as a Super El Niño, leading to dry weather and increasing the risk of forest fires.
Currently, Indonesia has 53 aircraft engaged in water bombing and cloud seeding operations. Japan has also sent planes and personnel to assist.
Disaster management authorities are preparing to deploy helicopters from South Kalimantan province, nearby Nusantara, to assist with water drops around the new capital area.
However, officials say that cloud cover in the area is currently insufficient for cloud seeding, but operations will commence as soon as weather conditions permit.
Meanwhile, several hundred Muslims gathered in front of the government complex in Nusantara on Friday to perform Salat Istisqa, a prayer ritual for rain, amid the spreading forest fires.
Ruddi Abdullah, the ceremony leader, said that people need to seek forgiveness from God, and if favored, heavy rain will follow.
The Nusantara new capital city construction project is valued at approximately 32 billion U.S. dollars. Former President Joko Widodo announced the plan in 2019 to relocate the capital from Jakarta on Java Island, which faces ongoing problems of traffic congestion, flooding, and land subsidence.
However, the project has faced delays and budget cuts since President Prabowo Subianto took office in 2024.
Visnubroto Sarosa, an expert in urban planning, said Nusantara may not be the most suitable location for a new capital due to surrounding forests and limited water sources, although the fire risk is lower compared to western and central Borneo, areas shared with Malaysia and Brunei.
This forest fire crisis has become another major challenge for Indonesia, with authorities rushing to control fires and haze before the situation impacts the construction site and communities around the new capital.
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