Australia stands ready to deploy air tanker to fight Indonesian bushfires

Indonesia has requested Australian help to fight bushfires and a firefighting tanker aircraft could be despatched to offer assistance.

A resident looks at wildfire on a peat land in Indralaya area, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, 16 September 2015. Source: AAP

Australia could deploy an air tanker to help Indonesia fight dangerous bushfires.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that in response to a request from the Indonesian government, the Australian government was ready to deploy a Lockheed L100 Hercules aircraft, not needed in Australia right now because of the lull in severe weather conditions.

"The fires are creating hazardous conditions in at least six Indonesian provinces. Over 135,000 Indonesians have been affected with respiratory illnesses. The fires have continued to worsen due to drought conditions across Indonesia," she said in a statement.