BNPB: Situbondo Forest and Land Fires Extinguished, Emergency Alert Status Until October

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that the forest and land fires (karhutla) which struck several points in Situbondo Regency, East Java, have been completely extinguished. Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, stated in Jakarta on Friday that the flames in the area have now been fully brought under control thanks to a rapid emergency response on the ground. The forest and land fire incident was first reported on Wednesday (8/7), with the estimated area of affected land burnt reaching around two hectares. “The fire hotspots were located in the Mimbaan Urban Village and Juglangan Village areas, Panji District,” he said. The BNPB Operations Control Directorate reported that Situbondo Regency is still enforcing a Forest and Land Fire Disaster Emergency Alert status to anticipate the potential threat of subsequent fires amidst the dry season. This full preparedness is legally valid for the period set by the local government, from 26 May to 6 October 2026. “BNPB appreciates the rapid response of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Manggala Agni, the fire brigade, volunteers, and all related elements in handling the situation so that both incidents could be quickly brought under control,” he remarked.