Indonesia's battle against the raging wildfires of 2026 is a testament to the country's innovative and desperate measures. The culprit? A powerful El Nino, a climate phenomenon that brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure, and rainfall patterns, typically causing drier conditions in Indonesia and severe fires. With over 100,000 hectares burned in the first half of the year, and an independent analysis by Nusantara Atlas putting the figure at over 285,000 hectares, the situation is dire. This is more than four times the size of Jakarta, and it's only getting worse.
Enter cloud seeding, a technique rarely used globally to tackle wildfires. Indonesia believes it can help, and they're ramping up efforts. Meteorologist Safillah Anggie Wahyuni, who has accumulated over 300 flight hours in just three years, is a testament to the country's commitment. She and her team are on standby, ready to sprinkle silver iodide, salts, or other particles into clouds to trigger precipitation, hoping to douse the wildfires and wet flammable peatlands.
But it's not without controversy. Experts question the technique's use during the dry season, when wildfires peak. I Putu Santikayasa, a hydroclimatology lecturer, points out the lack of clouds as a significant challenge. Research suggests the efficacy of cloud seeding is hard to assess, and it has raised questions about the harms linked to the widespread use of silver iodide, as well as the cost. Budi Harsoyo, BMKG weather modification director, acknowledges it's a mitigation effort, not a permanent solution.
Activists argue that cloud seeding ignores underlying problems, including mass conversion of rainforest and peatland. Indonesia has large swathes of tropical peatlands, which are important carbon stores when wet but become highly flammable when dry. These vulnerable ecosystems should be protected against development, says Uli Arta Siagian, campaign coordinator with local environmental group WALHI. The responsibility for protection lies with the state, she says, by not issuing permits in areas that are vulnerable to fire.
Despite the challenges, Indonesia is determined to fight the fires. They are carrying out peatland rewetting, monitoring fire hotspots with satellites and ground patrols, and banning large-scale plantations from using fire to clear land. The environment minister has also encouraged "legal sanctions" including fines and "criminal penalties" for illegal burning. But the practice remains common, and it's blamed for starting most of Indonesia's wildfires.
In the end, the battle against the El Nino-fueled wildfires is a complex and challenging one. While cloud seeding may provide some relief, it's not a silver bullet. Indonesia must address the underlying issues, protect vulnerable ecosystems, and enforce strict regulations to truly stem the tide of these devastating fires.
