PANGKALAN BUN, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia has expanded ground and aerial firefighting operations in Tanjung Puting National Park as authorities try to stop forest and peatland fires from reaching the conservation area’s core zone and orangutan habitat.

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni reviewed the response during a two-day inspection in Kotawaringin Barat on Oct. 14 and 15. He met regional leaders, military (TNI) and police officials, disaster agencies and Forestry Ministry personnel to map active fires and determine priority areas.

“We are deeply saddened because Tanjung Puting National Park, which is a source of pride for Indonesia and internationally, has been struck by fire,” Raja Juli said after a coordination meeting, according to a statement published by the Forestry Ministry.

Thermal-drone surveys identified four priority locations. Authorities placed particular attention on Besalat because the area lies close to an orangutan feeding site. Other targeted areas include Teluk Pulai, Sungai Bulu Kecil, Sungai Bulu Besar, Sungai Baung and Tanjung Rengas.

Officials estimated that one fire front stretched for about two kilometers. The response plan calls for approximately 160 personnel and about 30 additional bore wells to supply water in areas where peat fires can continue burning below the surface.

“We agreed to take two steps,” Raja Juli said. “First, we will intercept the fire by increasing the number of bore wells. We are also considering firebreaks while taking the condition and depth of the peat into account. The main objective is to prevent the fire from entering the core zone.”

Six water-bombing helicopters were available in Central Kalimantan, but thick smoke restricted visibility around Pangkalan Bun and Palangka Raya. Authorities considered operating aircraft from Kuala Pembuang Airport in Seruyan, where visibility was reportedly better.

The government also prepared a weather-modification operation when suitable rain clouds developed. Ground teams included Manggala Agni firefighters, military and police personnel, disaster-agency officers and community volunteers.

“The central government, regional administrations, the TNI, the police, BMKG and BNPB have not given up,” Raja Juli said. “We will make every possible effort.”

Raja Juli also visited the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Pasir Panjang village. In a social media update, he said staff had reported that 225 orangutans at the center were healthy. Officials reviewed the availability of medicines, nebulizers and sprinkler systems to protect the animals from smoke exposure.

The Orangutan Foundation International established OCCQ in 1998 to rehabilitate rescued or confiscated orangutans before releasing suitable animals into protected forests. The center provides veterinary care and forest training near Tanjung Puting.

Smoke remains a serious conservation threat even when flames do not reach rehabilitation facilities. At the separate Nyaru Menteng center near Palangka Raya, managers previously reported respiratory illness among 47 orangutans exposed to wildfire haze. None were in critical condition, but some required nebulizer treatment.

During an earlier inspection in South Kalimantan, Raja Juli reiterated the government’s plan to expand Indonesia’s forest-police force. The target of approximately 70,000 additional personnel applies nationally, not only to South Kalimantan.

Indonesia currently employs about 4,800 forest rangers to oversee approximately 125 million hectares. President Prabowo Subianto approved a proposed ratio of one ranger for every 2,000 hectares, although recruitment still requires regulatory and administrative work.

Authorities said firefighting must continue until crews extinguish underground peat fires and secure the national park’s core zone. Protecting nearby communities and preventing further damage to orangutan habitat remain parallel priorities.