75 Fire Incidents in Denpasar in Early 2026, from Short Circuits to Pythons
The Denpasar City Fire and Rescue Department (Damkar) recorded 75 fire incidents throughout January to mid-April 2026.
Damkar Denpasar Head, I Made Tariana, stated that the highest number of cases occurred in densely populated areas, namely 26 incidents in West Denpasar and 22 in South Denpasar. Meanwhile, East Denpasar recorded 13 incidents and North Denpasar 14.
Losses varied from Rp20,000 to as much as Rp1 billion. The largest loss came from a villa fire in Sanur on Friday (3/4/2026).
In addition to building fires, Damkar also received reports of three cases of empty land fires with unknown causes. The locations were Jalan Teuku Umar Barat and Jalan Kerta Negara on 31 March 2026, and Jalan Tangkuban Perahu, Padang Lestari Housing, on 12 April 2026.
“The causes are all unknown and there were no losses. Fortunately, up to now there have been no (fires spreading to residents’ homes), we have four strategic posts, meaning we can reach the location as quickly as possible,” explained Tariana.
Tariana explained that fire causes can be traced from findings at the fire scene, such as cigarette butts. However, evidence is hard to find when incidents occur on empty land because the fire has already grown large.
Handling Trapped People to Pythons
Not only fire incidents, Denpasar City Damkar receives various reports from the public. From adult people locked in rooms, trapped in lifts, fallen trees, to python sightings being handled.
“We often receive reports of adults unable to open doors, trapped in rooms. We break the keys, or if not, we pry them open. The most panicked are those in lifts. But we already have tools to open doors,” said Tariana.
In addition, Tariana mentioned that Denpasar Damkar receives reports of wild animals almost every day, especially snakes and monitor lizards. He explained that such incidents are rampant during the rainy season.
“Per day there can be reports of five snakes. Usually pythons, but previously there was an incident where a victim was bitten by a green tree snake with a red tail, then our officers were also careless during handling, so they got bitten too, both were treated. Later, the animals we find are taken to BKSDA (Natural Resources Conservation Center),” said Tariana.
Weather Triggers Fires Due to Short Circuits in Denpasar
Denpasar City Damkar states that weather factors, especially the transition from dry to rainy season, are one of the triggers for the increase in fire cases due to electrical short circuits.
Tariana explained that poorly maintained electrical installations are the main cause of short circuits when rain falls.
“If there’s a long dry spell then rain, most of it is short circuits. Because people don’t pay attention to how the installation is, some are peeled, eaten by rats, or heat makes them melt. So when it rains, water hits it, fire appears,” said Tariana.
In addition, Tariana explained other factors due to public negligence. Such as lighting the stove without realising gas is leaking to carelessness when lighting incense.
“Gas leak, people don’t notice, meaning they don’t smell it. Also, after praying, incense is forgotten to be extinguished, especially in hot weather, it spreads to the wood of the pelinggih,” explained Tariana.
Tariana said the public still often considers fire risks low during rain. He assessed that this is influenced by minimal education on fire potential, thus impacting low public understanding and awareness.
Denpasar City Fire and Rescue Department experienced the highest fire cases during the 2023 dry season. Tariana mentioned fires occurred almost every two days.
“Since 2023, during my tenure as head of the department here, the highest was during the dry season. Almost every two days. Since then, we have continuously conducted socialisation, both to PKK (Family Empowerment and Welfare) mothers and volunteers, now it has decreased significantly,” said Tariana.