Authorities in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province are combining emergency firefighting operations with religious prayers as widespread forest and peatland fires continue to generate hazardous levels of smoke across the region.
Thousands of residents gathered in Palembang, the provincial capital, on Tuesday to take part in salat istisqa, a special Islamic prayer performed during periods of prolonged drought or when communities seek rainfall. About 3,000 people reportedly attended the prayer at the courtyard of the governor’s office as thick haze affected visibility across parts of the city.
The worsening air conditions have become a growing concern, with smoke heavy enough in some areas to force motorists to switch on their headlights during daylight hours.
South Sumatra currently records the highest number of wildfire hotspots detected in Indonesia, according to data from satellites operated by the country’s Environment Ministry.
The province had 1,429 detected hotspots, ahead of West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. The figures underline the scale of the fires confronting authorities as the country experiences a prolonged dry spell.
Officials said almost 940 square kilometres of land was burned across Indonesia in July, with more than 20 square kilometres of the affected area located in South Sumatra.
The fires have affected forests and peatlands, which can be particularly difficult to extinguish once flames penetrate beneath the surface. Dry conditions allow fires to spread rapidly while producing large amounts of smoke that can remain in the atmosphere for extended periods.
South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru said the authorities had already deployed available resources to confront the crisis but acknowledged the importance of rainfall in helping to bring the situation under control.
“We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties,” Deru said before the prayer gathering.
He added that the community was turning to faith while continuing efforts to combat the fires.
“As people of faith, we are also praying to God to send rain so that life can return to normal,” the governor said.
Firefighting efforts intensify
Emergency agencies have been working across affected areas as the combination of dry weather and an intensifying El Niño pattern creates conditions favourable for wildfires.
Authorities have deployed aircraft for cloud seeding and water-bombing operations, seeking both to encourage rainfall and directly attack fires that are difficult to reach from the ground.
The national disaster management agency said smoke from the fires has also travelled beyond Indonesia, reaching neighbouring Malaysia and Brunei.
The cross-border movement of haze is a recurring environmental problem in Southeast Asia, particularly during prolonged dry seasons when vegetation and peatlands become highly vulnerable to fire.
Indonesia has also stepped up enforcement against suspected illegal land-clearing practices. Authorities said 72 people had been arrested over allegations involving the use of fire to clear land.
Four companies are also under investigation as officials seek to determine whether their activities contributed to the fires.
The investigations reflect wider concerns surrounding the use of fire in land preparation. While controlled burning has historically been used in some agricultural practices, fires can quickly become uncontrollable during severe dry conditions, particularly in areas containing large amounts of combustible vegetation and peat.
Haze raises regional concerns
The latest outbreak has once again brought Southeast Asia’s long-running haze problem into focus.
Indonesia’s seasonal forest and land fires have repeatedly produced smoke that crosses national borders, affecting air quality in neighbouring countries and prompting calls for stronger regional cooperation.
The problem can become particularly severe when weather conditions prevent smoke from dispersing. Prolonged periods without substantial rainfall allow fires to continue burning while stagnant atmospheric conditions can trap pollution over populated areas.
South Sumatra’s current hotspot figures therefore represent more than a local environmental challenge. The fires pose potential consequences for public health, transportation, agriculture and regional air quality.
For communities in affected areas, however, the immediate concern remains the return of clear skies and safer breathing conditions.
The gathering in Palembang reflected that urgency. While firefighters and emergency personnel continue working to contain the flames, residents joined together to pray for the rainfall that could provide critical relief from the dry conditions.
Authorities are expected to maintain aerial firefighting, cloud-seeding and ground operations while investigations into the causes of individual fires continue.
The combination of enforcement and emergency response is aimed at preventing the current crisis from becoming even more severe as the dry season continues.
For South Sumatra, significant rainfall could provide the quickest relief. Until then, authorities face the difficult task of containing fires across vast forest and peatland areas while protecting communities from the thick haze spreading across the region.
Indonesia battles hazardous haze as wildfires spread across South Sumatra
