Indonesia Reviews Malaysia’s Offer of Aircraft and Crew to Fight Fires

Indonesia is reviewing Malaysia’s offer of help to fight ongoing land and forest fires.

The offer includes one CL-415MP amphibious aircraft, one Mi-171 helicopter and 44 crew and technical staff.

The proposed support would assist firefighting operations in Indonesia, where smoke from fires has made air quality hazardous in Palembang, according to Indonesian disaster officials.

Indonesia and Malaysia are also exploring cooperation on fire monitoring, early detection, data analysis, research and training.

Indonesia will keep control of any operations, and foreign help must meet its needs and regulations.

The agencies will next discuss readiness, logistics and flight safety, including how to respond if smoke or poor visibility limits flights.

Indonesia is already using ground crews, aircraft and weather modification as part of its fire response.