Pramono reports 457 fires in Jakarta throughout July-August

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has reported that 457 fires occurred in the capital between July and August 2026, with the majority caused by electrical short circuits.

“Based on reports from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), there were 457 fire incidents in Jakarta from July to August, with approximately 240 of these occurring in August alone,” Pramono explained while presiding over the Jakarta Guard Assembly for Dry Season Preparedness at Monas on Wednesday.

Pramono stated that the most dominant suspected cause of the fires is electrical short-circuiting. This is followed by waste burning and other causes resulting from public negligence, such as the improper disposal of cigarette butts.

According to Pramono, the dry season conditions and increasingly hot weather could also increase the risks of both fires and droughts. Consequently, during the assembly, he instructed the Jakarta BPBD to anticipate potential droughts and water shortages across the city.

“To this end, 29 tankers from ten participating agencies have been provided to address the issue of water shortages in Jakarta,” Pramono clarified.

He revealed that two sub-districts are already experiencing drought conditions, namely Kalibaru and Semper in North Jakarta. Pramono also urged the Jakarta Provincial Government officials to remain on alert and prepare mitigation steps to face the dry season.

“This is what we are doing to anticipate both water shortages and fire risks,” Pramono concluded.