Indonesian fires: twin helicopter crashes expose fragile safety margins

Four deaths in two helicopter crashes within five days have raised questions about the dangers facing those fighting Indonesia’s massive forest fires, prompting a government review on aerial firefighting efforts.

But those dangers extend beyond the skies, with volunteer firefighters on the ground describing inadequate protective equipment, scarce water supplies and peatland fires that can suddenly erupt beneath their feet.

On November 4, an Indonesian army Mi-17V5 transport helicopter carrying...