Jakarta, Aug. 23 -- The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is strengthening weather modification operations, adding aircraft, and reinforcing firefighting personnel and equipment to combat forest and land fires in Kalimantan.

BNPB Head Suharyanto stated in a release on Sunday that an increase in forest and land fires was concentrated primarily in West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.

The situation has been exacerbated by nearly a week without rain, heightening the risk of fire and causing haze to persist across several areas.

"Fires in Kalimantan present unique challenges because so many occur on peatlands. Even when the surface appears extinguished, fires can continue smoldering underground," Suharyanto ex...