BNPB: Bintan Wildfire in Riau Islands Spreads to Destroy 25 Hectares

Jakarta — Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that a wildfire in Bintan District, Riau Islands, has spread to destroy approximately 25 hectares of mineral land adjacent to agricultural areas.

Abdul Muhari, head of the BNPB’s Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Centre, stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that the fire first broke out on Sunday, 8 March, and subsequently spread to Pengudang Village in Teluk Sebong District, as well as Gunung Kijang Village and Kawal Ward in Gunung Kijang District.

“The source of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the relevant authorities,” he said.

Current weather conditions featuring minimal rainfall and relatively strong winds, characteristic of the onset of the dry season, have been reported as significant challenges for ground teams in controlling the flames.

The fire also affected approximately 2 hectares of land in the Lintas Timur Toapaya Selatan area and 5 hectares on the border between Kawal Ward and Gunung Kijang Village.

Abdul confirmed that no fatalities have been reported from the incident and that the fire has been successfully brought under control. However, material losses are reported to be substantial given the extent of the burned area.

Joint response teams comprising the regional disaster management agency (BPBD), the military and police (TNI/Polri), and Bintan’s fire service remain on standby, conducting monitoring and management operations at the incident site to prevent further spread of the fire in the area.