Australian aircraft will support Indonesia as severe wildfires continue across major islands.
Indonesia is bringing in additional international firefighting support as months of wildfires continue to strain emergency operations. Australia will deploy aircraft to assist waterbombing missions, adding capacity to Indonesia’s extensive aerial response.
Australian Aircraft Join Operations
Australia’s New South Wales Rural Fire Service has dispatched a C-130 Hercules and a Cessna Citation aircraft to Indonesia. According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, or BNPB, the aircraft are scheduled to support firefighting operations from November 6 to November 12.
Indonesia Battles Worst Fires in 11 Years
Indonesia is experiencing its most intense wildfires in 11 years, with extensive areas affected across Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua. BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi said authorities are making major efforts to control the fires through waterbombing, cloud seeding, and international assistance.
Haze Drives More Than 400,000 Respiratory Cases
The wildfire crisis has also created a major health burden. Indonesian Health Ministry data showed that fire and haze had caused more than 400,000 cases of acute respiratory infections across seven provinces as of November 2, highlighting the human impact of the prolonged emergency.
Helicopter Crash Highlights Firefighting Risks
Australia’s deployment follows a fatal waterbombing helicopter crash in Central Kalimantan on November 4 during a firefighting mission. According to a military statement cited by Reuters, one crew member was killed and five others were injured. Two additional personnel had yet to be evacuated when the report was published, underscoring the risks facing crews involved in Indonesia’s prolonged wildfire response.
International Assistance Strengthens Response
Australia’s involvement expands Indonesia’s aerial firefighting capability at a time when authorities remain engaged in prolonged suppression efforts across several major fire zones. The support adds foreign resources to Indonesia’s existing waterbombing and weather-modification operations as officials work to contain fires that have burned for months.
Australia’s deployment provides Indonesia with additional aerial capacity as the country confronts one of its most severe wildfire seasons in more than a decade. For Indonesians, the assistance could strengthen efforts to protect communities affected by fire and haze. For Singaporeans, progress in controlling Indonesia’s fires remains an important regional environmental development given the wider concern surrounding Southeast Asian haze episodes.
Sources: Asia One (2026) , Reuters (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Wildfires, Australia Firefighting Support, Waterbombing Operations, C-130 Hercules, Indonesia Haze, BNPB
