Mongabay · Climate & nature

Japan Assists Indonesia in Wildfire Fight

Japan has deployed military assets and personnel to Indonesia's Borneo island to aid in combating wildfires that are generating a toxic haze affecting regional health.

A Japanese military transport ship, the JS Kunisaki, carrying 300 crew members and three CH-47 helicopters, arrived in Kalimantan as part of a disaster relief mission. This marks the first known overseas firefighting operation by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The mission aims to support Indonesian authorities, particularly in accessing areas difficult for ground teams. The JSDF stated their dedication to assisting affected Indonesians and preventing further damage.

Indonesia has a long history of forest and land fires, exacerbated this year by an intensifying El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season. The resulting toxic haze has caused a health crisis in neighboring countries.

Smoke from the fires has reached the Philippines and caused air pollution levels in Malaysia to breach emergency thresholds, leading to a local emergency declaration. Several areas on Sumatra have also been affected, suspending school activities for over 1.4 million students.

Indonesian authorities are intensifying firefighting efforts, with assistance from various countries including Japan, the U.S., Russia, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine. Between January and July, over 202,000 hectares of land were burned in Indonesia.

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