Forest and Land Fires Spread Across Six Provinces, BNPB Urges Regional Preparedness
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has recorded that at least six provinces have been hit by forest and land fires (karhutla) during the period of 19-20 July 2026. The total area of land burned reached approximately 47.7 hectares, with the highest number of incidents still occurring in the Kalimantan region.
Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, stated that all regional governments, together with relevant agencies, are continuing efforts to extinguish and control the fires to prevent them from spreading further.
In Aceh, karhutla occurred in Kampung Kuyun Uken, Celala District, Central Aceh Regency, on Sunday (19/7). The fire scorched around one hectare of land. The Central Aceh Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) stated that the flames have been successfully extinguished and the location is being continuously monitored to anticipate the emergence of new hotspots.
A similar incident also occurred in Batin Village, Bajubang District, Batang Hari Regency, Jambi. Approximately 2.5 hectares of land were burned. The BPBD, together with relevant agencies, has extinguished the fire, while the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, Abdul disclosed on Monday (20/7).
In East Java, a fire struck vacant land in the Sentraland Housing complex area, Randegansari Village, Driyorejo District, Gresik Regency, on Saturday (18/7). Around three hectares of land were burned without causing any casualties. The BNPB reminded that East Java is currently under a Drought and Forest and Land Fire Emergency Alert status until 6 October 2026.
Meanwhile, Kalimantan became the region with the largest area of karhutla. In Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, a fire occurred in the area of PT Dua Samudera Perkasa Tersus Bengkirai Sungai Dua, with an affected area of around five hectares. The extinguishing process is still ongoing, and approximately two hectares of land have been successfully handled.
In Samarinda City, East Kalimantan, fires occurred in three locations, namely Harapan Baru, Mugirejo, and Bukit Pinang sub-districts. The estimated burned area reached 35.2 hectares. The BPBD, together with the Fire Department and volunteers, are continuing to extinguish the fires to prevent them from spreading further.
In South Sulawesi, karhutla occurred in Atue Village, Malili District, East Luwu Regency. Around one hectare of land behind the Pertamina Ussu area was burned. The fire was successfully extinguished on Sunday night with the involvement of the BPBD, Manggala Agni, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Indonesian National Police, the village government, and the community.
Abdul Muhari concluded by urging regional governments to increase their preparedness in facing the rising potential of forest and land fires during the dry season. The public is also urged not to clear land by burning and to immediately report any sightings of hotspots so that swift action can be taken.