Indonesian authorities are racing against time to contain wildfires that have scorched over 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of land, prompting the deployment of nearly 50,000 firefighters. The blazes, which started nine days ago and have destroyed about 900 hectares in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, have forced the closure of dozens of schools for a second day due to poor air quality. In an attempt to combat the wildfires, Indonesian officials are employing cloud-seeding techniques, releasing chemicals such as silver iodide and salt into clouds to induce rainfall. However, the scarcity of rain clouds is proving challenging. El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon causing drier conditions in Southeast Asia, is believed to have contributed to the wildfires. The fires are currently raging in six provinces: Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra on Sumatra island, as well as West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan on Borneo island. Authorities fear that the arid conditions could lead to the spread of the fires. On Tuesday, more than 150 personnel, including over a dozen aircraft, were working tirelessly to extinguish the remaining embers in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The Ministry of Forestry reported that more than 107,000 hectares (264,000 acres) of land across Indonesia have been affected by these wildfires from January to June, marking a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023 when El Niño last impacted Indonesia.