PONTIANAK, TheKabarNews.com—West Kalimantan is expanding aerial firefighting operations in Ketapang and Kayong Utara with support from Japanese CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Forest and land fires (karhutla) remain active across the province.

Governor Ria Norsan said the heavy-lift helicopters would reinforce ground crews in areas where difficult terrain and persistent dry conditions have complicated fire suppression.

“In the near future, the Chinook helicopter assistance from Japan is scheduled to depart from Kijing Port for Ketapang to help extinguish fires in Ketapang and Kayong Utara,” Norsan said.

Japan sent three CH-47 helicopters to West Kalimantan aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel JS Kunisaki.

The ship initially arrived at Kijing Port in Mempawah on September 10. It was part of humanitarian and disaster-relief cooperation between Indonesia and Japan.

Indonesia’s Defense Ministry said the helicopters would conduct water-bombing missions after completing technical preparations and flight-safety checks.

The Indonesian military supervises operational security and flight clearances, while the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) coordinates the missions.

The Defense Ministry described the deployment as additional support rather than a replacement for Indonesia’s existing firefighting capacity.

The operation has since moved closer to one of the principal fire zones. Japan’s Defense Ministry said the JS Kunisaki, carrying a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47, arrived off Ketapang on September 21.

The aircraft was expected to begin firefighting once preparations were complete. This would create two operational bases: Kijing Port and the waters off Ketapang. In addition, Japan’s Defense Ministry confirmed the updated deployment.

The additional air support comes as dry weather continues to sustain fire risks. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 1,357 satellite hotspots in West Kalimantan as of September 21.

Hotspots indicate thermal anomalies and do not automatically represent confirmed fires. However, officials use them to direct field inspections and emergency resources. BMKG’s September 22–28 outlook continued to list smoke and forest fires as major concerns.

BNPB has combined ground suppression with patrol flights, water bombing and weather-modification operations in West Kalimantan. The coordinated response covers Ketapang and Kayong Utara.

Norsan also called for law enforcement to investigate suspected deliberate burning, including any cases involving plantation companies.

“I hope the police chief will examine and take action if he finds that companies have deliberately cleared land by burning,” he said.

Investigators must establish responsibility through evidence before imposing sanctions. Meanwhile, the Japanese Chinooks will give emergency teams greater capacity to deliver water to fires. These are fires that ground crews cannot safely or quickly reach.