Dedi Mulyadi Requests Closure of West Java Hiking Trails to Prevent Forest Fires
The Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, has revealed several anticipatory measures to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) within the West Java region. He stated that he has instructed regents to frequently inspect landfill sites (TPA) and to minimise the use of matches and cigarettes.
“In my view, we must prevent people from bringing matches and cigarettes into landfill sites,” he told reporters this weekend.
Furthermore, he has requested the Regents of Cianjur and Bogor, as well as authorities in areas with hiking trails, to implement policies postponing hiking activities. This is due to the prevalence of hikers smoking and engaging in activities involving fire.
“Many people climbing mountains bring cigarettes and start fires. For now, we should pause these activities. Since uncontrolled burning leads to fires, I believe we should postpone them for the time being, as not everyone is disciplined,” he said.
The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that forest and land fires in West Java reached 196.40 hectares during the dry season up to 24 August 2026. The fires have affected 91 sub-districts and 153 villages.
“West Java Province has recorded 132 incidents of forest and land fires. These events have spread across 9t1 sub-districts and 153 villages, with the total burnt area reaching 196.40 hectares,” said Hadi Rahmat, an expert public relations officer for the West Java BPBD, on Wednesday (26/8/2026).
He noted that the most affected area was Sumedang Regency, with 20 incidents and a burnt area of 21.68 hectares, spanning 11 sub-districts and 21 villages.
Meanwhile, the largest area of damage was recorded in Sukabumi Regency, where land fires reached 49.20 hectares across 12 incidents spread over 11 sub-districts and 15 villages.
Hadi continued that other high-risk areas include Majalengka Regency, which recorded 15 incidents with 25.91 hectares burnt, followed by Kuningan Regency with 10 incidents and 23.80 hectares, and Cirebon Regency with 8 incidents and 20.73 hectares.
Hadi added that the impact of the fires is spread across various regencies and cities in West Java, including Bandung Regency with 13 incidents and 16.80 hectares, Subang Regency with 11 incidents and 9.53 hectares, and Purwakarta Regency with 10 incidents and 8.22 hectares.
Urban areas such as Sukabumi City, Bandung City, and Depok City have experienced smaller-scale impacts. “The public is urged to remain vigilant,” he said.