Indonesia Conducts Investigations on 19 Companies Suspected of Linking to Wildfires

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Jakarta, Indonesia – In an unprecedented move to combat the ongoing wildfire crisis, Indonesia has launched an investigation into 19 companies suspected of being linked to the blazes that have been ravaging Sumatra and Kalimantan. The investigation comes as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with the devastating environmental impact of the fires, which have been fueled by a severe dry season.

The fires, which have been raging for weeks, have released a thick smog that has raised health concerns for both humans and wildlife, including the critically endangered orangutans. Satellite imagery has revealed that the fires have affected a staggering 11,047 hectares (27,298 acres) across seven provinces, an area nearly twice the size of Manhattan.

Rizal Irawan, a senior official at the country's Environment Ministry, disclosed to reporters that a total of 42 companies hold concessions with high wildfire potential. The government has identified 19 of these companies as being directly responsible for the fires, covering an area that is nearly double the size of Manhattan.

"We will investigate whether the fires started accidentally or were deliberately set," Irawan said. "However, regardless of the cause, strict liability applies whenever a fire occurs within a concession area."

The Indonesian government has not yet named the companies involved nor disclosed the type of concessions they hold or their business sector. It has, however, indicated that it will continue to investigate the remaining 23 companies facing fire risks.

The environmental damage caused by the wildfires has been extensive. In July alone, wildfires burned nearly 95,000 hectares of land in Indonesia, almost doubling the damage done in the previous six months. The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, exacerbating the situation.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, BNPB, is stepping up efforts to control the fires. The agency has deployed some of its 48,000 officers to guard certain areas and prevent new fires from being ignited. Over 1,400 volunteers have also been deployed to help contain the fires on the ground, with more volunteers being recruited.

The government has also deployed 34 aircraft to conduct water bombing operations. However, their flights have been disrupted by thick haze and poor visibility, as well as limited water availability near the locations of the fires.

In a separate development, Indonesia's Transport Ministry announced that it has issued special permits for 35 foreign aircraft to enter the country's airspace. The move is aimed at bolstering Indonesia's aerial firefighting capabilities.

According to the European Union's climate monitoring service Copernicus, carbon emissions from Indonesian fires in the last seven days hit 17.1 million metric tons, 429% higher than the seasonal mean and second only to Russia.

The Indonesian government's investigation into the companies linked to the wildfires is a significant step in tackling the root causes of the crisis. It remains to be seen how effective these investigations will be in curbing the fires and preventing future occurrences. The country's environmental and health challenges, however, are urgent and require immediate and sustained action.