Indonesian Regions Besieged by Forest Fires, One Fatality Reported

Several regions are currently experiencing forest and land fires (karhutla) and haze over recent weeks as the dry season and El Niño set in from July to early August 2026. At Mount Bromo in East Java, a fire has not been extinguished for a week and has spread to several surrounding areas. Fires have also occurred in other provinces, from Kalimantan to Sumatra. The following is a summary of major forest fires over the past week.

At Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, the fire that started on 3 August is still ongoing and continues to expand. As of Friday (7/8), the burnt area reached 176 hectares. This figure is predicted to increase. Currently, the fire hotspot is in the eastern region, approaching the direction of Bukit B29. Meanwhile, hotspots in the northern area of Sariwani Village, Sukapura District, and at Bukit Jantur have reportedly been extinguished, although smoke is still visible. The Ministry of Forestry, through the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency (BB TNBTS), has officially closed all tourist access to Bromo. This closure policy applies comprehensively at all entry points, including Probolinggo Regency via the Cemorolawang entrance, Pasuruan Regency via Wonokitri, Malang Regency via Jemplang and Coban Trisula, and Lumajang Regency via Senduro. BB TNBTS suspects the fire originated from visitors traversing the route who lit a campfire to warm themselves in the cold temperatures. The fire from the campfire is suspected not to have been completely extinguished, eventually being fanned by the wind and igniting a wider blaze.

In Ketapang, West Kalimantan, forest fires have also occurred, with one person reported dead as a result. The Head of the Ketapang Regency BPBD, Yunifar Purwantoro, stated that the victim, 26-year-old Taufik Hidayat, is believed to have driven through thick smoke on his way home, lost consciousness, and then his body was burnt. BPBD also received a report of an elderly resident suffering burns who was evacuated to dr. Agoesdjam Ketapang Hospital for treatment. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that smoke from forest and land fires in West Kalimantan has the potential to cross into neighbouring Malaysia. Ketapang Regent Alexander Wilyo said his party continues to coordinate with BPBD, the military, police, Manggala Agni, and all relevant elements in handling the fires occurring in several areas. In addition to extinguishing the fires, the joint team is also conducting searches, evacuations, and various countermeasures to prevent similar incidents from causing further casualties.

A forest fire also occurred in the Alun-alun Suryakancana area of Mount Gede Pangrango, West Java, on Thursday (6/8). A 9-second video circulated via WhatsApp and social media showed dry grasslands engulfed in flames, with the blaze approaching a nearby hill. In Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, forest fires have expanded to approximately 118 hectares as of Saturday (8/8). This figure is an accumulation of all land fire incidents handled by the joint BPBD and firefighting team throughout 2026. During the period from July to 8 August 2026 alone, officers recorded at least 51 land fire incidents. The Head of Central Bangka BPBD, Yudi Shabara, said the area along the main road from Koba to Kurau is one of the most vulnerable locations, with 11 fire incidents recorded in that period.