Jakarta, Aug. 12 -- An efficiency strategy is implemented for air operations against forest and land fires in six priority provinces, with operational costs reaching hundreds of millions of rupiah per minute, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) stated.

On Tuesday, BNPB Head Suharyanto underscored the need for this strategy to optimize the existing budget for a single air operation using weather modification aircraft, water bombing helicopters, and patrols.

"One minute of flight can cost up to Rp300 million (US$18 thousand). We have to be careful in choosing flight times and locations," he remarked.

According to Suharyanto, efficiency is achieved by combining weather modification and water bombing operations using helicopters...