BNPB Records 42 Forest Fires and Drought Incidents in a Single Day
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded a surge in disasters at the end of July. In the last 24 hours, at least 42 disaster incidents occurred across various regions of Indonesia, with 36 of them having a significant impact. Forest and land fires (karhutla) and droughts dominate the list of incidents, marking the peak of the dry season currently affecting much of the archipelago.
Two forest fire points were successfully extinguished in South Sulawesi and West Papua, while severe drought has forced thousands of residents in Gorontalo to rely on clean water assistance. A land fire covering 2.81 hectares hit Dusun Kurui, Wewangriu Village, Malili District, East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, on Thursday (30/7). The incident began when a resident burnt shrubs on their land to clear the area and repel pests. However, dry weather and wind caused the fire to spread uncontrollably. “The fire grew and spread to other parts of the land so it could not be controlled by the owner,” said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, on Friday (31/7). A joint team deployed to the site successfully suppressed the flames and declared the location safe. This was the second forest fire in East Luwu during this period.
Meanwhile, in Sorong City, West Papua, a fire destroyed approximately 2 hectares of land in the Covid Cemetery area, Malasilen Ward, North Sorong District. The fire, which occurred on Thursday (30/7) at 15:30 WIT, was suspected to have been triggered by arson, exacerbated by hot weather and strong winds. The fire caused panic among residents and burnt several graves in the public cemetery. Joint officers managed to extinguish the fire after battling it for several hours.
DROUGHT IN GORONTALO
Drought has hit two regencies in Gorontalo Province with a massive impact. In Gorontalo Regency, the drought has affected 1,060 households, or 2,194 individuals. The local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), along with the provincial government, is still conducting data collection and assessments to identify the urgent need for clean water among residents. Meanwhile, in Bone Bolango Regency, 453 households, or 1,192 individuals, are affected by drought. The Bone Bolango Regency BPBD has distributed 20,000 litres of clean water to meet the community’s needs.
INCREASING VIGILANCE
The BNPB urges local governments and the public to increase vigilance against the potential for forest fires and droughts that still threaten several regions. The public is prohibited from clearing land through burning, is advised not to discard cigarette butts carelessly, and should immediately report hotspots so that handling can be carried out as early as possible. “In areas experiencing drought, the public is urged to conserve clean water use, utilise available water sources wisely, and follow local government directions regarding the distribution of clean water assistance,” emphasised Abdul Muhari.
Based on the BMKG weather forecast from 31 July to 2 August 2026, most parts of Indonesia remain in the dry season period with potential for sunny to partly cloudy weather. Although light to moderate rain may still occur locally, dry conditions in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and parts of Java continue to increase the risk of fire and the expansion of drought impacts. The BNPB calls on all stakeholders, including the TNI, Polri, Manggala Agni, volunteers, and the business community, to strengthen prevention efforts through integrated patrols, early detection of hotspots, the provision of water sources for firefighting, accelerated clean water distribution, and ensuring the readiness of personnel and equipment to minimise disaster impacts.