Several regions in Indonesia are experiencing widespread forest and land fires since entering the dry season and the influence of El Niño began in July through early August 2026. Fires have occurred in various areas including East Java, West Java, Kalimantan, and other regions.
At Mount Bromo in East Java, a fire that started on 3 August continues to spread to surrounding areas. By 7 August, the fire had covered 176 hectares, with predictions it will continue to expand. The Ministry of Forestry, through the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Management Authority, has closed all access to Bromo tourism at all entrances.
Park managers suspect the fire originated from visitor activity in making campfires to keep warm in the cold temperatures, but the fire was not completely extinguished before being blown by wind. Head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Management Authority Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said that weather conditions like the current ones trigger fires that they suspect.
Forest and land fires also struck Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, with one person dead. Head of the Ketapang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency Yunifar Purwantoro stated that the victim, named Taufik Hidayat aged 26 years, was suspected of pushing through smoke plumes while trying to go home, lost consciousness, and his body was severely burned. The Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics warned that smoke from West Kalimantan could potentially cross into Malaysia. The disaster management agency also reported an elderly resident suffered burns and was evacuated to hospital.
Head of the disaster management service for Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, Yudi Shabara said that land fires in his area had spread to approximately 118 hectares by 8 August. Throughout July until 8 August 2026, officers recorded at least 51 land fire incidents, with 11 occurrences on the main road stretch from Koba to Kurau. Yudi emphasised that the community is required to increase vigilance given that several areas remain in fire-prone conditions.
