BNPB Explains Why Forest and Land Fires Have Not Been Declared a National Disaster

Jakarta — Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has outlined several reasons why it has not declared the forest and land fires in a number of regions a national disaster, despite the fires having continued for four months.

BNPB Chief Lt Gen Kristomei Sianturi said the agency had not recommended a national disaster declaration for the fires because several criteria must be assessed before a disaster can be given that status.

“We look at the indicators: whether the situation meets the requirements for national disaster status, how many areas are affected, how many casualties there are, and whether the region has declared that it is unable to cope,” Kristomei said after a coordination meeting on responding to fires on Mount Arjuno-Welirang in Batu, East Java, on Friday (23 October 2026).

So far, he said, the fires on Kalimantan and Sumatra, as well as in several other parts of Indonesia, could still be handled by local governments and their supporting agencies.

He added that the affected areas were not considered extensive, so the fires had not been declared a national disaster.

“If the criteria are not met, the number [of affected areas] is small and the impact is not widespread. As I have said, there are indicators for determining whether a disaster is national or regional,” he said.

“The most important thing, regardless of the status, is how we respond and deal with this disaster. That is what matters most, so that there are no further casualties,” he added.

Although the fires have not been designated a national disaster, BNPB will continue to provide full support for firefighting efforts in various regions of Indonesia.

He also urged local governments and law enforcement agencies to work together to prosecute those responsible for setting forest fires.

“We urge the public not to burn land again. If there are indications or anyone is found to have started a fire, the matter should be handed over to law enforcement for legal action,” said the former commander of the Raden Intan Regional Military Command XXI.

“People must stop setting fires. On one hand, our colleagues are risking their lives to put out the flames, and some have become casualties; on the other, people are still starting fires. This will never end if that continues,” he said.